It was ten at night - usually, the last of the ponies retired at this time, save for a few parties here and there. The full moon had already risen high in the sky, casting a pale light over the streamers, confetti, and candy wrappers that were the mishaps of the early morning cleanup crew.

It was quite successful, to say the least. All of the caramel apples had been given out, and those unfortunate enough to not receive any were given a discount on purchases from Sugarcube Corner. (More numbers to draw? Pinkie didn't know yet.)

The only thing that made this Nightmare Night different than last year was that Pinkie hadn't pulled off any pranks. Rainbow Dash was more than happy to take over for her, which made Pinkie very happy to see her bestest friend happy. But she hadn't seen Candy since the batch of caramel apples had arrived, and Pinkie just had to worry! Was she okay? But before she could try to find Candy, another child had knocked on her door. Sugarcube Corner was always a hotspot for treats, which left her very busy.

She felt bad. And she would have been glad to have the leftover candy for herself, but curiosity took the better of her. She started with the ground floor, calling out, "Candy?"

"Here," came a quiet reply. The kitchen! Of course. Maybe Candy was getting more caramel apples. Pinkie pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Something was wrong.

Not with the kitchen, just with the Candy Mare. She seemed...tired. No, exhausted. Her hooves were placed on the counter, her licorice mane shielding her face from Pinkie's sight, and not a sound escaped from the two except for Candy's somewhat irregular breathing.

"C-Candy?"

Her guest turned to her in a half second, bearing a grin - or what was supposed to be a grin, yet didn't seem to be real. Her eyes used to be so much more colorful. Now they were...graying. The candy skin stretched tight over what seemed to be bones.

Pinkie's breath caught in her throat.

"Hey." Candy shakily lifted a hoof with a wave. "Pinkie."

"Are you okay?" Pinkie forced out.

She shook her head. "I will be. It's Night...Nightmare Night."

Pinkie watched as she stood on all four hooves, swaying slightly, opening and closing her eyes, smile slipping from her face. "I can't...."

"Can't what?"

When Candy looked up, she couldn't mistake the fear in Pinkie's eyes. She took a deep breath.

"Candy, what's going on? Do you need help?"

"No." Candy giggled - tried to, but the pain in her chest protested. "I need. Something...sweet." She shook her head and stuck out a hoof to the side to balance herself.

Pinkie watched in fear for her guest as she started to sing softly. "Nightmare Night...what a fright...fright...give me something....something sweet to...sweet to-"

Her head would probably have exploded into a million candy pieces on the floor if Pinkie hadn't lunged and caught the Candy Mare in her hooves. Almost immediately, they hit the floor, resting against the countertop. Candy pressed her head into Pinkie's shoulder, and did something she hadn't done in a long time.

She cried.

Pinkie stroked her back as she felt warm tears soak into her fur. "Shh." What happened? How bad was this, truly? Pinkie had always thought Candy was hiding something from her, but not something like this. This utter weakness. She understood - no one liked to be seen as weak.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Candy sniffed. "No, I'm sorry."

"Can you walk?"

"I dunno."

"Um. Maybe something to eat? I have some candy left over-"

"No." The reply came swiftly. Candy swiped a tear from her eye. "It doesn't help. Flesh. I need flesh."

"Oh. Oh, no. Okay...you know those cupcakes I make? Those cupcakes. I bet I have some."

"...Meat?"

"Yeah. Minced meat and blood acting as food coloring. I'll see what I have and we'll get you in bed, m'kay?"

Candy nodded and felt Pinkie leave her side, and for some reason, it felt so, so cold. A few moments later, Pinkie called from the fridge. "There's one right here, but it's been in here forever."

I didn't even...look in the fridge. Damn. Candy almost laughed at her idiocy.

Pinkie appeared at her side again, this time standing above her. "Will it be enough?"

"Yeah." It just might.

"Okay. Can you stand? You need help?"

"No, I-" But as soon as Candy started to stand, she slipped and was caught by Pinkie again.

"Put your arm over my shoulder. Okay. We'll make it, you and me. Ready?" Pinkie lifted her to a standing position.

Candy sighed. "Sure."

They started the long and painful walk towards the stairs, and all throughout Candy just felt like giving up. Going to sleep, forever. She felt a familiar sense of dread as she and Pinkie stood at the base of the twelve-step climb.

"Three..." Pinkie started.

"Shoo.." Candy slurred.

"One."

The walk up was painful. It was slow and made her legs ache, but every time she felt like giving up, Pinkie pushed her forward. Closer...closer...and finally, it was over. She stood, trembling, at the top of the stairs.

Her eyes opened and closed as they lumbered for her bed, and damn, it was such a relief when she was finally able to fall into the soft mattress! Though she could have easily fallen asleep, the aroma of the dead kept her awake and aware.

She shakily held the cupcake in her hooves and took a bite.

"You could just ask, ya know." Pinkie's words made her freeze.

"I did," Candy muttered.

"Just once! I have so many cupcakes." Her eyes widened as the realization came to her. "I should have given you some. I'm sorry."

"It's fine-"

"No, it's not fine!" Pinkie nearly exploded. "Here you are, nearly passed out, and I never once thought you needed more than half a pony and bacon! I've been worried, but I've never asked about you, and I feel so, so bad-"

"Pinkie-"

"I care a lot about my guests, even if they don't know me! But I slipped up. I'm really sorry, Candy. I should have known better."

There was a heavy silence that draped over the two for a while.

"You care about me?"

Pinkie's head shot up from where it had laid on the side of the bed. "What?"

"You said you were worried. Did you...."

"Why would you ask such a silly question? Of course I care! I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't!"

The Candy Mare took a deep breath. "This is a word I don't say often, and when I do say it, it's not very genuine. So...I guess this is a first." She turned slowly towards Pinkie. "Thanks."

Pinkie looked a bit shocked, as if she was expecting to be cast out of her own home, but her expression twisted into a slight smile. "You're welcome."

A few crumbs was what remained on the bed. Candy wiped her mouth. "I guess it's partly my fault. I went after sweets, and I thought those would make me stronger, but no. It was just...unnecessary. Maybe it was the sugar rush that keeps me awake. Or maybe it's being borderline unhealthy that's, ya know."

The next few words were gonna be tricky. Her host or whatever cared. Trusted her, even. How could she phrase this? She couldn't just say she was planning to kill the first pony who ever showed any sign of...respect? What was it?

She closed her eyes. "Pinkie?"

The reply was snoring. She looked over and saw Pinkie slouched against the bed. Candy relented and pulled the covers over herself.

What she doesn't know won't kill her.

With that thought, Candy fell into the welcoming embrace of sleep.

Author's Note

OKAY BUT I LOVE IT WHEN PERSON A BECOMES WEAKER AND WEAKER AND PERSON B IS THERE TO HELP AHAHDSJBSDSJ