Dazzling in the Streetlights
Halloween was not a holiday unnoticed by Canterlot. Every year, come the fall of the sun, and the rise of the moon and the stars that accompany it, the streets are filled with a myriad of sights, sounds, colours, and costumes. People of all ages donning monstrous and grotesque visages, prowling on the neighbourhood with some underline intent hidden beneath their smiles and laughter. Even the houses themselves had distorted and warped beyond recognition. Cobwebs, makeshift graveyards for front yards, skeletons, pumpkins, and the occasional light effect as well. A truly harrowing sight any other day of the year.
Doors were banged on or their bells were rang. Sometimes it was a combination of the two. But every time it occurred, the monsters would wait on the doorstep, their targets standing before them as the slab swung open, revealing their target inside. Rather than cause any sort of harm to them, though, their prey would always offer them the tribute of candy, in the hopes that they would leave. And, every time, it was a success. The beasts were fended off with the confectionery delights before moving on to their next house.
For one such girl, Halloween was the one night where she was finally free from the bounds of unaccompanied night travels. Walking out of her manor house on the edge of the city, she was fully donned in a pink dress with black edges and frills around the bottom. A pair of bat ears laid atop her head, secured by a fabric knot under her chin, complete with a little bat hairclip in her pink and white-striped hair. All that was missing was her coup de grace; a pair of fake fangs which she stuffed into her mouth over her teeth. Now, Diamond Tiara was ready for her Halloween night.
"Ah, Halloween. One of the best nights ever. Right, Silvs?" She spoke to a girl, clad in similar-looking attire, but with more of a chocolate-gold finish instead of purple. Donning a pair of blue-framed glasses, a pointy witch's hat with a ribbon the same colour as her dress's accents and another set of false teeth just like her friend's, she waited at the gate Diamond had been walking up to.
"Totally, Di." Silver Spoon gave her a grin as she opened the gate and stepped out onto the sidewalk. "Halloween is super-rad. We can get all the candy we want, then party down like animals!"
"Yeah. And the parties at our houses every year are off the hook!" Diamond gave the air a visceral punch and nearly leapt off of the path. "Plus, the acoustics in the hall make the beats even more sweet. There's not a single place you can hide from the beat."
"Remember last year, when that Zephyr Breeze guy came round for the party?" Silver Spoon asked, twisting her wrist through the cold and frosty air. "He definitely got into the party spirit."
"I remember. He downed at least ten drinks back to back, then spent the rest of the night peeing. I mean, I know you're supposed to stay hydrated and all, but even I've gotta admit that was a bit excessive." Diamond could only look at the nearby fountain and shudder, thinking back to the night of the punch massacre, committed by the malefic Zephyr Breeze himself. "Still, he had a pretty nice outfit."
"Mmhmm. That little psychedelia with legs outfit definitely had some style that year. Seriously, I wanna know how much time he put into that outfit. He must've spent a heck of a lot of time painting it just like that." Silver just smiled, looking out into the skies above. "I know that fashion and trends are a thing, but what's so wrong with breaking free from the rules and just having fun with what you wear?"
"Oh, definitely. I mean, as much as I do want to be the best-looking girl in CHS, I'm not a robot. I'm a teenage girl. There is a difference." Diamond chuckled and gave a quick snort. "I mean, that's just a silly thing to think about, really. Imagine me, Diamond Tiara, the wealthiest girl in school, just nothing more than wires and circuits?"
"Totally. Magic, I can believe in. But robots? So last season." Silver Spoon just blew a raspberry and pivoted her fingers to the ground, before sharing a nasally laugh with Diamond Tiara. Then, the both of them caught a sight that caused them to stop. "Oh, Di! We've gotta hit this place up first. It looks like it's really into the spirit of the season this year."
The house standing before them was very simplistic in design, yet the Halloween decorations and designs were weaved in almost immaculately. A single, glowing jack-o-lantern standing by the door, posters over the windows to create the illusion that the house had been broken into, a dismembered hand hanging down over the door's knocker, and a thick blanket of fog machine fog over the grass itself.
"I dunno, Silver. There's one thing that I've never been able to get over when it comes to these scary things. And that's definitely the severed hands." Diamond winced at the sight of the hand. Even though the blood and injury was so bloated to look like it was a prop, she could still feel her blood turn cold.
"Oh, get over it, ya softie. We both watched that scary movie together last night at my sleepover. And it was totally cheesy anyway." Silver just gave her a playful slap on the chest and jogged towards the house. "Now, c'mon. Let's get our first bits of candy!"
Diamond took another look at the hand, and could see that it was indeed a replica from a closer view. Still, the likeness of it was very real, as if it had actually been pulled out of a movie or an actual murder case, but stuffed to make it seem like it had been a fake. Regardless, she stood next to Silver, banged the knocker against the door, and used one hand to hold Silver while they both made a claw with the other.
The door opened, and as soon as the person inside showed themselves, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both chorused, "Trick-or-Treat!" In perfect sync with each other, curling their claw fingers daintily.
"Well, aren't you two just a couple of cuties?" The woman at the door just swooned and pulled a bowl full of candy out before them, slipping one hand underneath the bowl while cupping the rest of it with her arm. "Go ahead. Take your pick, girls."
Diamond was already eyeing up the candies laid out before her. All sealed within varying colours of wrapping paper shreds, in many shapes and sizes. Bags of tiny sweets, lollipops with sticks poking out of the smooth patterns, and even the occasional sour dip bag candy. As she reached for one, however, she got her first trick of the night.
Rising from the tides of sugar and sweetness rose a black hand, which reached out for her and grabbed her by the wrist. She let out a shrill shriek before retracting her hand, pinching a candy instinctively so as not to make her first door visit a complete loss. But still, she shivered as the hand sunk back beneath the coloured wrappers, burying itself for its’ next prey.
“Why have a trick or treat when you can have a trick and treat?” The lady just grinned as Diamond rubbed her wrist. “Go on, dear.” She turned to Silver Spoon. “It’s your turn now.”
Though the illusion was gone, Silver still hastily picked a candy from the bowl and tucked it underneath her hat, narrowly evading the clutches of the hand, rising up once more to try and claim seconds.
“That is a very cool trick, miss.” Silver could only grin as the hand waved the girls goodbye before the lady put the bowl back in the house. “You’ve got Halloween spirit alright.”
“Thank you, dear,” said the lady. “Halloween is a great holiday, isn’t it?” She grabbed the edge of the door and started to close it back up. “Have a good night, you two!”
Both Diamond and Silver waved their farewells before leaving the house and strolling off back down the street again. Diamond was, noticeably holding on to Silver’s arm slightly, fingers almost trembling due to both the fright and the frigid air. Silver Spoon had taken notice, and just held Diamond’s hand in response, a small smile creeping onto her lips as she locked fingers with her.
“Hey. Are you scared?” Silver asked, turning her gaze to Diamond’s.
“Wh-what? N-no! I’m super-brave!” Diamond blushed at the question, her grip on Silver’s hand tightening more. “I was just... really impressed with that house. That’s all.” Using her spare hand, Diamond twiddled the single candy piece she had picked up, while still focused on Silver.
"Di. You're totally terrified. I can see it in your eyes." Silver just reached behind Diamond and gave her a few pats on the back. She then took the piece of candy out of Diamond's hand and placed it into a bag that hid under the same hat as the candy she had taken from the house. She dropped it in and gave the bag to her before. "Here. You might need this."
"Thanks, Silver." Diamond's hand shuddered as she took the bag and opened it up to reveal the candy waiting inside. Even watching it from a distance, she still had the memories of the place wracking her mind.
"No problem. You definitely need something to take your mind off of those jumps." Silver put her hat back on and continued down the street. "That, and, well, I haven't seen you terrified like that for a long time. Not since we did that scare maze at the theme park last year."
"Look, even though it said the actors were allowed to touch you in that one, I didn't think they'd just yank me into that place!" Diamond barked, but felt her blood grow ever colder as more and more repressed traumas were resurfaced. "Forget about the chainsaw guy at the end of it, just getting pulled in there is something next level, Silvs!"
"Let's just be glad the maze is only there on Halloween season. Otherwise there'd be a lot more crybabies around Canterlot than usual." Silver reached over Diamond's shoulders and pulled her in close for a cuddle. "But hey. It doesn't have to be scary all the time, Diamond. You've got me to keep you safe."
"Y...yeah." The fire in Diamond's voice had been extinguished almost immediately as she just pivoted to Silver and burrowed herself into her side. "Thanks, Silver Spoon. You're the best friend a rich second-year student could have." Mustering up some strength, Diamond reached over Silver Spoon's body and gave her a full-blown hug, pressing her cheeks against her witch dress.
Silver Spoon didn't say a word as Diamond brushed up against her. For as long as both of them could have remembered, they had done everything together. They went to the same kindergarten, both came to each other's parties every year, and even had their little fights and arguments over the same thing. Many others would have considered that the cheesiest perfect match ever, or the fact that they were both born rich so they should be best friends, but Silver didn't mind what others said about them. Because to her, Diamond Tiara was a friend; a real one. Not imaginary, not bought or enticed by cash, but a genuine best friend that Silver could rely on as much as Diamond relied on her.
Diamond Tiara was just a girl who hadn't known a single thing about poverty, bills, or anything that she couldn't have. She was, after all, daddy's little princess. Whatever she asked for, it was hers without question. Guess it was just one of the benefits of being loaded with money and not having to worry about running out. When your father sits on only the biggest stack of dollars in the city, you can't help but feel special about it, really. But all that fortune would've gotten dull over time, and that was one of the many reasons why Diamond Tiara felt that Silver Spoon was the friend that she had needed from the start.
She was smart, funny, had a fabulous dress sense, knew everything about being posh and rich like her, and she looked kinda cute in her eyes. That little hug was just a reminder of how strong their bond was, and as Silver hugged Diamond back, she could feel that connection show yet again. As the two of them shared their embraces with each other, the air around them stopped feeling so bitter and depressing. Maybe it was because of the warmth in their hearts or the warmth in their bodies. Or maybe it was one of the magic spells those other girls are always using to stop baddies from doing nasty things. No matter what it was, though, Diamond and Silver didn't want to stop, and any other thoughts seemed to drift away for that moment; that feeling of pure bliss and euphoria, nestled within the dark and foreboding night that was Halloween.
"Thank you, Silver." Diamond came out of the hug, her face filled with light and life once again. "Thanks for being my bestie all these years."
"No problem, Diamond. And thank you in return for being just as much as a bestie to me as I am to you." Silver Spoon's face was also flushed with colour. She reached out for Diamond's hand and held it again, before the both of them continued to walk down the street, resuming their night of tricking and treating.
Now that the original scares of the night had been batted off, and the girls were in full swing, they started to visit more and more houses. It was the same formula every time for each of them. Knock or ring the bell, say "Trick-or-Treat!", get candy, repeat. Knock or ring, "Trick-or-Treat!", get candy, repeat. The same formula over and over again, house after house, with the only changing outcome being the candy they got.
Some of the houses only allowed them one pick, so they had to make sure that they bagged the best candy on the bowl, while others were generous and let them take multiple pieces at once. The other variable were the people. Different shapes, sizes, and even ages as the two girls went around Canterlot, visiting every single one of them; if only for a brief instance to swipe away some candy.
The night seemed to last forever as Diamond and Silver continued their spree, not leaving a single house on their route behind. More and more decorations and props littered the abodes, ranging from simple things like cobwebs on the windows and hanging around the door, to scenes that looked like they belonged in a movie on the big screen with how much they had been decked out.
"Ooh! Let's hit that one next, Di!" Silver pointed towards a house that had a bunch of fake hands seemingly growing out of the grass, giving the illusion that a horde of zombies were about to awaken and cause havoc for the residents. "Unless you're afraid, that is." She cracked a smug grin and playfully nudged her elbow.
"Scared? With you? Nah." Diamond blew a raspberry and tipped her hand. "There's no way I could ever be scared thanks to you, Silver Spoon."
"Good to hear. Now let's go!" Silver was already on the cobblestone path leading to the house, and the residents inside. On the way to the door, she caught a glimpse of the hands on the side. "Hey. Remember last year at CHS's halloween party, when we went as a couple of zombies?"
"Oh yeah. That power outage could not have come at a better time." Diamond grew a sharp-ended grin and let out a small chuckle. "I remember those geeks at the Canterlot Movie Club. They couldn't stop screaming after they caught a glimpse of us after dark, if you know what I mean." She rung the bell. "How do you that anyway, Silver? You've gotta teach me how to act like that."
"Well, I'm sure that I could find some time to give you some lessons. My parents just LOVE drama class. They practically auditioned for every show when they were in school." Before she could say anything more, she could hear the footsteps from the other side of the door. "Oh! Here they come. Get into position, Diamond," she whispered as she could hear the handle begin to turn.
The door flew open, and Diamond and Silver pulled off the same pose every night. One hand holding each other, and the other hand as a claw. Both of them said "Trick-or-Treat!" for the umpteenth time that night as they gazed up at the person on the other side of the door.
And, as with all the other times, the bowl was shown, they reached in for their candy, and then they were on their way. Just another house marked off of their mental list. Now, their bags were stuffed full of candy and ready to overflow at any moment. Waving goodbye to the person inside and wishing them a happy Halloween, the two girls were back on the streets.
"Well, Di. I'd say that this was a pretty successful night." Silver Spoon gave a nod as she looked down at the bulging bag of treats, coiled in their branded wrappers and colours. "We managed to land most of the houses in Canterlot, and we're still not totally done."
"I betcha there's still some people out there who are simply dying to see us come by for some trick-or-treating." Diamond clasped her hands together, bearing her fangs out for the night. "And hey, y'know, I'm feeling a bit peckish after all those last few houses."
"Ooh. What's your poison, Di?" Silver asked, playfully booping Diamond on the nose and rubbing a finger across one of the phones fangs in her mouth. "Though, given what you've gone as this year, I think I already know the answer to that."
"Oh, you know me too well." Diamond coyly batted the air and flashed another grin at Silver before linking arms with her. "But y'know, there's more to Halloween than just this candy stuff, Silver. And I've got a hankering for more than just the usual tricks and treats we ask for every year."
"Sounds like someone's got more energy this year than usual." Silver Spoon strutted next to Diamond's side, watching the other trick-or-treaters go by around her. "And you haven't eaten one piece of your candy yet, Di."
"What can I say? I guess it's more than just sugar that gets me ready to go on a night like this. Especially when I go with you, Silver." Diamond just gave her another brief hug, feeling her return the favour in kind.
"Yeah. So, what do you think we should do when we're done? Aside from the party at your dad's place and all?" Silver broke out of the second hug, looking out into the next moonlit street covered with another row of houses, garnished in grim and gruesome attire. "Scary movie marathon? Hide and seek in the dark? Candy eating contest maybe?"
"The way I see it, Silver? Tonight's our night. And we can do anything we want." Diamond grew a smile that spread out to both of her cheeks. Coupled with the lowering of her brows and the rapping of her fingers against each other, she could only let out a small, foreboding laugh as she waltzed on down into the next street. Her next set of victims to take from, with her partner in crime by her side.
For Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon, nothing would compare to the feel of a true Halloween; one where the candy collecting was nothing more than a footnote, and that there was so much more to do before they felt like clocking out for the night. Be it bone-chilling, spine-tingling, blood-curdling, or scream-inducing, the two of them would stand with each other and have their nightmares—and their fun—together.
Author's Note
Hey, guys. This is more of a cutesy-little fic that I threw together in time for the Halloween season. And I know, I know, it might seem a little disjointed or lacking in substance, but honestly, I feel like too much for a quick one-shot like this would make the story seem a bit... clunky in a way. Plus, this is mainly made for people who love Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon being adorable together, which kinda just doesn't happen anymore with how much the show keeps on changing. That, and, well, how could I NOT make a cute picture out of an Uotapo picture for Halloween?
But in all seriousness, guys, I know full well that there are some people who have severe cases of Samhainophobia (fear of Halloween), and that's completely fine. You don't have to enjoy it if it makes you feel terrified. No-one is forcing it upon you. And I think this fic is more based on Diamond and Silver more than the spooks. Sure, there's some Halloween trick-or-treating elements thrown in there, but I mostly just wanted to have these two just be... Diamond and Silver enjoying a Halloween night together.
And the reason why I ended it like that was to give you guys the illusion of what they chose to do with the rest of their night. After all, imagination is just one of the wonders of fanfiction writing; even with short and abrupt ones like this. There's so many different ways to go and so many different paths and options to take, and that alone just makes any fanfic a great read for me. And I hope that you guys have just as much fun reading this as I had fun making this in the last two days I've had this idea on my mind.
But anyways, Happy Halloween, guys. Whether you celebrate it, or you fear it, I hope that the 31st of October is a great night for you all. See you all soon!
