Chapters ***Part 1: Nightlock***
The bell sounded, signaling the end of the school day.
"Alright, class, that concludes our time for today. I am not assigning you any homework, tonight. Be sure to have a fun, and safe, Nightmare Night!"
Fillies and colts cheered as Miss Cheerilee waved them goodbye from the door. Within the span of a few moments, the entire schoolhouse was emptie, except for Pipsqueak and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Pip quietly packed his saddlebags while he overheard the Crusaders' plans for Nightmare Night.
"I don't know about you two," Scootaloo said as she brought a hoof to her chest. "But I have the scariest costume in the history of costumes!"
"What is it?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously. "You've been so secretive about it for the past week."
Pip double checked his desk to make sure he wasn't leaving behind anything important.
Books: Check
Quill: Check
Flowers: X
Pip's heart leaped into his throat as he searched in desperation for the Nightlock flowers he had bought earlier that morning on his way to school.
"What are ya' doin', Pipsqueak?" Apple Bloom asked.
Startled, Pip bumped his head on the underside of his desk.
"Oh... I, um... N-Nothing..." Pip stuttered as his cheeks flushed a red hue.
Sweetie Belle didn't buy it for a second.
"You're obviously looking for something, Pip. If you tell us what it is, maybe we can help you find it." The little unicorn said.
Pip let out a nervous sigh as he through his saddlebag over his back.
"I... I lost my... flowers..." He said at last.
After a moment of silence, the Crusaders erupted into laughter. Pip made a face that resembled shock and confusion.
"Flowers? That's what you're so worked up over?" Scootaloo asked as her laughter died down. "Ponyville is, like, littered with flowers. Just go pick some."
"I'll help." Sweetie Belle said sweetly as they walked out of the schoolhouse with Pip.
Pip shook his head.
"It's not that simple." He said. "These weren't regular flowers. These were Nightlock flowers."
"Nightlock?" Sweetie Bell asked in a surprised tone. "Really? Those are, like, really rare in Ponyville. Who is the lucky filly?"
Pipsqueak's cheeks burned, and he turned his head to try to hide the red hue.
"N... No pony..." Said Pip with an uneasy, forced smile. "I just got them for... you know..."
Sweetie Belle made an unimpressed look, and Apple Bloom giggled.
"No pony gets Nightlock flowers for the heck of it." Apple Bloom said. "Come on, Pip. Please, won't ya' tell us who she is?"
After several moments of hesitation, Pipsqueak exhaled a long sigh.
"I... I got them for Princess Luna..."
"Really? Princess Luna?" Scootaloo asked with a surprised tone.
Pip nodded his head.
"I was going to give them to her at the festival, but I must have dropped them somewhere..."
Apple Bloom gave Pip a quick salute.
"Say no more, Pip. The Crusaders are on it!"
Like a switch being flipped, Pipsqueak's hopes were lifted again.
"R...Really? You'll help me find them?"
"Of course, Pip." Sweetie Belle said with a cheerful grin. "We'll always have your back."
Pipsqueak smiled. His grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Oh, thank you Crusaders!" Said Pip with excitement. "I need to get home right away to fix my costume..."
"Don't you worry your tail off." Scootaloo said as she ushered Pipsqeak down the sidewalk. "You get going. We'll get those Nightlock flowers for you."
Without another word, Pipsqeak took off. There was still much to do before the princess' arrival.
***Part 2: Royal Preparations***
"Luna..." A gentle voice whispered. "Luuuuuuna... It's time to wake up, Luna."
The princess groaned as she fell out of her sleep-induced state and into reality. Her eyes fluttered open, and Luna found herself looking into the eyes of her elder sister.
"Good afternoon, Luna." Celestia said with a warm smile. "The time is almost upon us."
"Wha... What time?" Luna asked sleepily.
Celestia cocked her head.
"Nightmare Night? Your celebration? Come now, Luna. Get out of bed."
"M...My celery nation?"
Luna tried to lay her head back down. She wanted to go back to sleep, but Celestia had other ideas. The princess let out a yelp as her sheets were torn away, exposing her to the cold.
"Give them back..." Luna groaned as she sat up.
"You may have them back after you get out of bed and join me to in the wardrobe." Said Celestia with a stern look.
Luna glared at her elder sister, but she complied. With some effort, the princess managed to fall over the side of the bed.
"There... I'm up..." Luna said as she shakily got to her hooves.
Satisfied, Celestia tossed the sheets back onto the bed.
"We only have a few hours." Celestia explained as Luna followed her into the hall. "That should be enough time to pick out costumes, yes?"
"Perhaps, I should attend the festival as Nightmare Moon. Do you think that will be frightening, sister?"
Celestia let out a light chuckle.
"I have a feeling it will be very frightening, sister. I was thinking of attending while dressed as my favorite comic hero, Bat Mare..."
Celestia made a silly pose that extracted laughter from her Luna.
"Yes... Please, do that, Tia." Luna said through her snickering. "It will be very entertaining to see you dressed as Bat Mare."
Celestia bit her lower lip as her mind drifted to other thoughts.
"What about the festival dance?" She asked carefully. "Will you be going with anypony special?"
Luna shook her head.
"I will not, sister. I will only attend with fun intentions in my heart. What of yourself? Will you have a special partner?"
Celestia blushed as a response to Luna's question.
"I... I am going to ask Twilight to be my partner..."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Twilight? Twilight Sparkle? Sister, I had no idea you shared feelings for her."
This only made Celestia's cheeks turn a darker shade of red. Her breathing grew short and irregular.
"I do have feelings for her, Luna. I have for a long time. I do hope she feels the same..."
Luna grinned and bumped her flank against her elder sister's.
"Worry not, Tia. Twilight adores you. I am certain her response will be in thine favor."
Celestia let out a sigh of relief, and she draped a wing over Luna's back.
"Thank you, Luna. It means a lot to hear you say that."
The two princesses stopped outside of the wardrobe. Inside sat dozens of racks. Each held a large amount of clothes, dresses, gowns, armor, and costumes.
"A hundred bits says I can find my costume before you find yours..." Celestia said just before disappearing into the wardrobe.
"You are on, sister!"
Luna dove in after Celestia. The race was underway.
***TO BE CONTINUED***
Chapter 2: Nightmare Night
***Part 1: Fading Light***
Pipsqueak looked into the mirror, and his reflection looked right back. He looked up and down his own form. To his great disappointment, the plastic armor pieces of his Royal Guard costume fit very loosely. Every attempt to tighten the straps ended in failure. Pip was simply too small for the costume. Grumbling under his breath, Pip put on the helmet, which fell over his eyes.
"Oh, don't you just look wonderful." Said a soft voice from behind him.
Pipsqeak spun around and raised the helmet. His mother was standing at the door. Around her hoof was a bag for him to collect candy.
"It's too big for me, mom..." Pip pointed out sadly. "Everypony is going to notice..."
"You look fine , Pip." She said with a sweet smile as she offered him the bag. "Now, get going, and join your friends. They are waiting for you."
Pip immediately thought of the flowers. His heart leaped joyfully in his chest. Without a moment to lose, Pip tossed the oversized helmet back onto his head and dashed past his mother.
"Have fun, sweetie!" She called as Pip made it to the front door.
Sure enough, the Crusaders were there, all dressed up and ready for Nightmare Night.
"Hey!" Pip greeted them with a huge grin. "Did you find them? Did you find the Nightlock flowers?"
Then, he noticed their grim faces. Pip's heart sank into his stomach.
"You... You didn't find them, did you?" He asked.
Sweetie Belle shook her head.
"No, Pip. I'm really sorry. We looked everywhere for them." Said Sweetie Belle in a soft voice.
Tears grew in Pipsqueak's eyes as he looked up at the last rays of light shooting across the darkening sky.
"Don't give up, Pip." Apple Bloom said comfortingly. "You can still talk to Princess Luna without flowers. Why don't you try winning her over with some candy? I've heard she has a really sweet tooth."
"Yeah!" Scootaloo added. "Or, you could ask her to dance! There's going to be a rockin' dance floor in the town hall
Pip shook his head slowly as he readjusted his bag that was hanging around his neck.
"No... I'll just... I'll just go... Thank you, anyway..."
Feeling more depressed than ever, Pip began his journey into the chaotic fray of ponies in costumes. The Crusaders watched on until he dissapeared into the night.
***Part 2: Liquid Courage***
Pipsqueak wandered the fair grounds with a disheartened look on his face. He was glad the oversized, costume helmet covered his face, so no pony could see. With no candy in his bag and a growling stomach, Pip made his way to a refreshments booth. Pip regretted his decision when he saw who was running the booth, but it was too late to turn around.
"Aww shucks..." Applejack said. "Apple Bloom wasn't kiddin' none when she said ya' were upset... Can I get ya' anythin', Pip?"
Pip hesitated to answer. He feared Applejack would pry, but his thirst gave in.
"Could... I have some punch, please?" He asked softly.
"Sure thing, buddy." Applejack said with a warm smile.
When Applejack had turned around to fill a glass, Pip saw somepony sit next to him out of the corner of his eye.
"May I have the same, please? I am quite parched." The mare next to Pip asked.
Applejack looked back at the stand to see who it was. Then, she smiled and nodded her head.
"Sure thing, Miss Luna."
Pip's heart skipped a beat as he looked to his left. It was Princess Luna. She was here! She was sitting next to him! Pipsqueak starred up at her in awe. The princess noticed his stare, and she looked back at him.
"Good evening, little one." Luna said with a kind smile. "I hope you are enjoying my night?"
Utterly speechless, Pip nodded his head. He failed to notice Applejack placing the glass of punch in front of him. Luna eyed his drink with a ravenous interest.
"Sorry, Miss Luna. I'll have yours ready in just a minute." Applejack said as she turned back around.
Thinking quickly, Pip slid the glass towards the princess.
"H...Here, Princess Luna. You can take this one. I'll wait."
With eyes widened, Luna looked back and forth between Pip and the glass he offered her.
"Are you sure?" She asked him with a dry crack in her voice.
"Of course!" Pipsqueak said eagerly.
With a huge smile, Luna accepted the drink and gulped it down.
"Ahh..." She moaned as she set the glass back on the stand. "That was... very kind of you. What is thy name?"
"I... I am Pip...Pipsqueak..." He responded with a nervous stutter.
Princess Luna beamed.
"Ah, yes... I do remember you... The little pirate, if I do recall... My, how you have grown since I last laid my eyes on you..." Luna said sweetly.
Pip felt his his cheeks getting hotter by the second.
"I... Y...Yeah. That... was me..." Pip managed to say.
"Am I still... thy favorite princess?" Luna asked with a chuckle.
Pipsqueak's night had done a compete turn-around. He was so excited, he didn't notice Applejack place the second glass on the stand. Pip's eyes were fixed on the beautiful princess next to him.
"Y...Yes..." Said Pip.
Luna chuckled sweetly.
"You have answered well..." She said through her laughter. "Why don't we attend these festivities together? Perhaps you could show me around. I did not get much of a tour during my visit, last Nightmare Night."
Again, Pipsqueak was left speechless. How could he refuse? Pip eagerly nodded his head. Without even touching the punch, Pip got to his hooves and followed Princess Luna into the crowd.
***TO BE CONTINUED***
***Part 1: Must Be Dreaming***
Pipsqueak beamed. The grin on his face stretched from ear to ear. He was as happy as any little pony could be. Every few moments, Pip would look back at Luna as he lead her through Ponyville. The princess would simply smile back at him.
"I must say... These festivities are a lot more pleasant than I remember them being." Luna said with a happy sigh.
Pipsqeak remembered. He remembered everypony running from Princess Luna while they screamed in terror. He was one of them. Pip instantly felt really bad.
"I'm... sorry about that..." Pip said softly as they stopped by a fountain. "I thought it was just a game, really. Everypony else was running, so I ran."
Luna smiled as she turned to face Pip. She gazed through the opening in his helmet and into his eyes.
"My brave, little soldier, you have nothing to apologize for. In fact, you are making this night a very memorable one."
"R...Really?" Pip asked as he turned his head to his the red hue in his cheeks.
Luna nodded her head and chuckled.
"Of course, Pipsqueak. You have been a very fine gentlecolt, this evening..."
The princess' voice trailed off. She was no longer looking at Pip, but something on the ground next to the fountain.
"P...Princess?" Pipsqeak asked nervously.
Luna didn't answer. She took a few steps towards the fountain. Using the magic from her horn, she picked up what had caught her eye.
***Part 2: The Magic Moment***
"Oh my..." Luna gasped. "These are... beautiful ..."
Pipsqueak cocked his head, showing his confusing. Luna turned around to reveal what she had in the grasp of her cloud of magic.
"Pipsqueak, are these... for me?" Luna asked as she held up the Nightlock flowers.
Pip's heart skipped a beat. They were slightly wilted, and the foil around the stems was dirty, but they were the flowers he had bought that morning. Now, they were in Luna's grasp.
"Are they?" Luna asked again. "Did you bring me here so I would find these... stunning Nightlock flowers?"
Pip was at a loss for words, but he nodded his head anyway. Luna's face broke into a huge grin. With the flowers still in the cloud of her magic, she put a hoof around Pipsqueak's back and embraced him.
"Thank you, my little pony..." She breathed into his neck.
"I...It was nothing..." Pip said at last, a little bolder.
Luna pulled away, smiling sweetly.
"If I didn't know any better, I would say you are trying to flirt with me, Pipsqueak..."
Pip froze. His hooves felt as though they were bolted to the ground, and his throat closed up.
"Hmm... It seems I have silenced you... Perhaps, I am on to something..." Luna said with a sweet chuckle. "So, I shall ask again. Are you flirting with me, Pipsqueak?"
There was no way around it. With no pony else around, Pip figured the embarrassment of being rejected by the princess wouldn't be so bad. After a moment of hesitation, Pipsqueak nodded his head slowly.
"Mmm..." Luna moaned as her gaze drifted to the flowers. "So, my suspicious were correct... The punch, the flowers... You are quite the charmer, Pipsqueak."
Then Luna did something Pip would have never anticipated in a thousand years. Pip remained motionless as the princess leaned her neck downward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
"I like that..." Luna whispered into his ear. "So tender, and so kind..."
She placed another kiss on his cheek.
"A true gentlecolt..."
The princess gave Pipsqueak on last kiss on his cheek before pulling away. She was still smiling, but it was no longer warm and friendly. It was something else entirely...
"How was that for flirting, Pipsqueak?" Luna asked with a seductive grin.
Then, she noticed that Pip was still frozen in place.
"Oh no... Have I made you feel uncomfortable?" Luna asked, genuinely concerned. "I do hope I have not... Please, Pipsqueak, do say something."
It began small, but a smile began to crack along Pipsqueak's lips. A sigh of relief escaped Luna's lips.
"You... kissed me..." Said Pip as he looked up at her.
Luna smiled back.
"I did, indeed... Do you want me to do it again?"
Pip was ever more thankful for the cover of darkness. He could not bear to imagine what Luna would think if she could see his body shaking.
"Y...Yes..." Pip stuttered.
Luna beamed. Without another word, she leaned downward. However, her lips did not meet Pipsqueak's cheek. Luna's lips met his own. Pip's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates the moment Luna's lips touched his. The princess didn't pull away immediately. The kiss deepened as the seconds passed. As the seconds became a minute, Pip's eyes slowly began to close. When the kiss finally ended, Pip felt like he was on cloud nine. Luna pulled away, and she licked her bottom lip.
"Wow, Pipsqueak..." Luna moaned as she breathed heavily. "You really know how to make a mare feel special..."
Pipsqueak made no attempt to respond. He simply nodded giddily.
"We should not keep from ourselves our true feelings for each other, Pipsqueak."
The little pony shook his head, extracting a sweet smile from Luna.
"Then, am I speaking truthfully when I say we share similar feelings?"
Pipsqueak nodded his head quickly. Luna chuckled sweetly at his response. Then, her smile turned sad.
"Pipsqueak, my little pony... I cannot deny to you that I harbor special feelings for you within my heart. You have... touched my heart in ways no other pony has, and I regret not seeing that until now, but there is a complication..."
Like a balloon that met the tip of a needle, Pip deflated, and his heart sank into his stomach.
"It is nothing on your part, my dear Pipsqueak..." Luna said softly as she stroked a hoof against his cheek. "You have done nothing to prove yourself undeserving of my love..."
"Then... W...What do you mean...?" Pip asked as tears swelled in his eyes.
Luna wiped away his tears and cupped his cheeks in her hooves.
"No, Pipsqueak... Please, cease your tears." Luna said before pulling him into a kiss.
Pip shut his eyes as she pulled away.
"I cannot stay here, Pipsqueak." Luna said softly. "You must know this. My place is in Canterlot, with my sister. I care for you, Pipsqueak, and I... I love you, but I cannot stay here to exercise those feelings."
Pip avoided the princess' gaze, but he nodded his head to show he understood.
"I know you must feel hurt, but this is the truth. Because I leave in the morning, we should make the most of the night we have together..."
This caught Pip's attention.
"What... do you mean?"
Luna grinned.
"Do you care to take a mare to dance?"
***TO BE CONTINUED***
Chapter 4: Under The Stars
***Part 1: Little Hooves***
Pipsqueak squirmed nervously. The chilling air sent shivers down his back as he walked closer towards the town hall. The uncomfortable fit of his costume wasn't helping the situation either. Pip looked up at the princess that towered over him. Luna noticed his stare, and she smiled back at the colt.
"I must say, this is very exciting..." Luna said in a low voice. "It has been quite some time since my last... dance."
"How long?" Pip asked curiously.
Luna paused to think.
"Hmm... Some twelve hundred years, I think..." Said the princess as her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. "My abilities to move my body to the rhythm of music may be void..."
"Well, I'm not all that great either." Pipsqueak said as a smile formed on his lips. "At least we'll both be bad."
Luna chuckled and pulled Pip in close with her wing. In an instant, the chill was gone, and Pipsqueak felt at ease.
"Oh, my little Pipsqueak... The things you say make me have thoughts about you I should not be having..."
When Luna was sure no pony was looking, she planted a very quick kiss on Pip's cheek.
"W...What do you mean, Princess Luna?" Pipsqueak asked timidly. "What thoughts?"
Luna didn't respond. She remained silent as they entered the town hall together. The building was already pack with ponies, and the party was underway. Pinkie Pie, the host, was cheering as she fired her air-powered party cannon from the upper balcony. Confetti rained from above.
"This is... something." The princess said as a grin formed on her lips. "It looks very energetic."
Then, she saw her sister.
"Luna!" Princess Celestia said as she approached them. "I wasn't expecting to bump into you here."
Then, Celestia noticed Pipsqueak.
"Is this... your date?" She asked, causing Pip to cower behind Luna's rear legs.
Luna nodded without hesitation.
"This is Pipsqueak, my escort." She said, extracting a weak smile from the colt.
Celestia grinned and looked down at Pip.
"Knight Pipsqueak... I expect you will show my sister a good time, yes?"
"Sister!" Luna hissed as her cheeks burned red. "He is much to young."
Celestia rolled her eyes dismissively before embracing her younger sister.
"Oh, what is age to mare's like ourselves? We are thousands of years old."
Then, Celestia leaned in closely so her lips nearly touched Luna's ear.
"If you fancy him, do not hold back... Let him know how you feel..."
When her sister pulled away, Luna nodded her head slowly.
"Only... if he consents, sister..." Luna muttered.
Celestia raised an eyebrow.
"My... What has happened to you, Luna? The sister I knew would pounce on any stallion she fancied."
"I do fancy him..." Luna retorted. "He is but a colt, though. He is no stallion."
Celestia's grin grew until it stretched from ear to ear.
"Then, make him a stallion..."
Luna's heart jumped in her chest, and her eyes darted back and forth between her sister and Pipsqueak, who was talking to one of his friends.
"Have you been drinking, sister?" Luna asked. "I will not take Pipsqueak's youth, if he does not wish for me too. I cannot, and I will not."
Celestia nodded her head, but she remained silent.
"What about your own pursuits?" Luna asked. "Did things go well with Twilight Sparkle?"
Celestia smiled sheepishly as she nodded her head. Luna smiled at her response.
"Oh, sister... That is wonderful! I am happy you have found romance tonight."
"Y...Yeah..." Celestia agreed as her voice cracked. "Twilight is... She really is something..."
Luna chuckled as she scanned the crowd for the purple mare. She spotted Twilight by the cider bowl. She held two drinks in the cloud of her magic.
"Those must be for you." Luna said softly. "You have fun, sister."
Celestia laughed as she gave Luna a short bow.
"May you have a... fun evening as well, sister."
With those last words hanging in the music-filled air, Luna let out a deep sigh. She then turned to face Pipsqueak, whom had been silent since his friends wandered away. Luna smiled sweetly.
"Well?" She asked. "Are you not going to ask me to dance?"
***Part 2: Never Miss A Beat***
Music and joyful laughter echoed throughout the town hall. Pipsqueak cheered as Luna lifted him above the crowd of ponies in the grasp of her magic. She spun the colt around several times before lowering him back down.
"Woo!" Pip cheered as his hooves hit the ground. "I flew! I can't believe I flew, Princess Luna!"
"You sure did..." Luna said with a chuckle. "Oh, Pipsqueak... What did I do to deserve such a wonderful evening..."
Luna let out a soft moan as she leaned downward so her cheek touched Pip's. Pipsqueak didn't care what anypony thought. He nuzzled his snout against her neck, extracting a giggle from the princess. Like a snowball rolling down a mountain, the night had continued to get increasingly better, ever since Pip ran into Luna at Applejack's stand.
"Are you alright, Pipsqueak?" Luna asked with concern in her voice. "You are shaking."
Pip didn't notice until the princess had pointed it out. He was shaking.
"Let us retreat outside." Luna suggested.
Pipsqueak didn't argue as the princess lead him through the crowd and out onto the steps. The chill returned, and Pip began to shiver
"What is it, Pipsqueak?" Luna asked as she sheltered him with her wing. "Why do you shake?"
Then, she saw the sadness in his eyes. Tears were beginning to form.
"I won't see you after tonight..." Pipsqueak said with a sniffle. "You'll go back to Canterlot, and I'll stay here..."
Luna sighed as she sat down next to him.
"You know I cannot stay." Luna said. "Take heart, my little Pipsqueak... We will see each other again. Whenever my duties call me to Ponyville, I will make the time see you, regardless of my duties."
Luna placed a gentle hoof on Pip's cheek and turned his head so he faced her.
"Listen to my words." She said. "Look at my lips as they speak."
After a short pause, Luna let out a long breath.
"I... love you, Pipsqueak. Because of that, I will see you again. Because my heart cries for your own, I will dream of you. Because I hate to see tears in your eyes, I... I will give you a gift..."
Pip looked up at her as he tried to dry the tears in his eyes.
"A g...gift?"
Luna nodded her head slowly.
"Yes... If you wish for it..."
"What is it?" Pipsqueak asked.
Luna leaned forward and presses her lips against his. The kiss caught Pip by surprise, but it was not unwelcome. His eyes closed as he melted in Luna's wings. Then came her tongue. Pipsqueak's eyes widened as he felt the princess' tongue pass through his lips and into his mouth. His entire body felt as though it had been jolted with lightning. Luna's tongue licked his own. Saliva was swapped and shared between them in the messiest way. Pipsqueak felt... strange. He was enjoying the new kind of kiss, but something felt off. Princess Luna moaned into his mouth before pulling away. Both ponies were gasping.
"I... I offer you... my body..." Luna said as she recovered her breath. "Will you take it?"
***TO BE CONTINUED***
