It Rained on Nightmare Night

The day of Nightmare Night had come and Rainy was excited to say the least. She rolled right out of bed as soon as she awoke. She pranced in place with excitement. ‘It’s Nightmare Night, it’s Nightmare Night’ kept repeating in her head. She looked outside her window, past the bat decorations hanging from it to see ponies already preparing for the night’s celebrations. She squealed with delight and turned back to the costume hanging on the back of her door. A red dress with a white collar and crinoline poking out from beneath the hem. All dangling beneath a thick, red, hooded cape. She was going as Little Red Riding Hoof. The costume was freshly finished by her friend Gingham Frill the night before.

She slipped on the dress, slid on the shoes and tied the black ribbons of the hood around her neck in a loose knot. It may have seemed too early in the day to don her costume but Nightmare Night only came once a year and Rainy was determined to make the most of it. She threw on her saddle bags; which she'd packed the night before, grabbed her seldom used plain red scarf and was out the door.

Rainy ran down the flights of stairs to the bottom floor of the inn, running into Hearth Keeper as she was passing between the parlour and the kitchen.

“My, my! This is an early start even for you dear.” Hearth sang.

“Gotta make the most of Nightmare Night.” Rainy blushed. “It’s my favourite night of the year.”

Hearth shook her head with a smile. “Well remember there’ll be no supper service tonight; we’ll have our hooves full with all the guests comin’. So make sure ya get fed before ya come back now.”

“I will Hearth.” Rainy almost sighed, Hearth had grown a habit of mothering her. Still she smiled, she couldn’t help but feel at ease around her.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Rainy openly rolled her eyes this time.

“Well what are ya still doin’ here silly filly? Don’t ya have plans? Get there and have fun!” Hearth was practically shooing Rainy out the door now. In an instant she was ushered out the door. “Have a wonderful Nightmare Night dear!” She sang from the door.

Rain spun round, composing herself from the sudden disorientation. “You too Hearth!” The door was shut and Rainy was on her way to the first item on herto-do-list: breakfast with Gingham.

Rainy trotted down the street to the Hay Burger. Ponyville was bustling with ponies, setting up stalls and traditional Nightmare Night games, a few latecomers were only just hanging up decorations on their houses. It was a cold, late autumn morning, the air was crisp and the sky was clear but the winds were calm at least. Rainy was happy to have such a well made costume, the wool lined cape kept the frigid chills off her back but her cheeks still felt frozen. She thought back to Gingham’s motto while they worked on it: ‘No reason it can’t be functional and fashionable!’

She came to the Hay Burger and cantered through the door to the immediate cheer of her friend.

“Rainy!” She leapt straight over the counter and ran to give Rainy a hug. She pulled her in tight and Rainy reciprocated. She released her from her embrace and they looked into each other’s eyes. “It’s Nightmare Night, it’s Nightmare Night!” They both yelled in unison, both prancing in place while the remaining diners looked on with confusion.

“You ready for breakfast?” Asked Rainy with excitement oozing from her voice.

“Sure am, Ah can just take my break right now. Ah’ll just get our food from the kitchen, you go get us a seat.” Said Gingham.

Rainy ran over to a table by the windows on the far side of the diner and waited for her friend to return.

After a brief moment she saw Gingham poking her head round, seemingly searching for her. Rainy waved her down until she came over.

“Shucks girl, ya coulda told me you were gonna sit all the way over here.” She said, setting down two plates of food, a muffin, a cup of tea, a mug, and a pot of coffee. She was a very good server.

“Sorry.” Rainy said with a bashful tone. “Thank you for the muffin.”

“Ya can thank me for the whole shebang ya got there!” They both laughed. Once the chuckling subsided Gingham spoke again. “Ya excited for tonight?”

Rainy swallowed her food in a rush to speak. “So excited! I can’t wait for the sun to go down, then it’ll finally start feeling spooky.” Her face was beaming.

Gingham sipped from her coffee. “Me too! Gosh, Ah can’t wait for my shift to be over. Still, it’s a whole lotta work to be done later, it’s not gonna be like trick-or-treatin’ when we were fillies.”

“It’s just a petting zoo Gingham, I’m sure it’ll be tonnes of fun.” Said Rainy with a sure optimism. She took a sip of her tea. “Fluttershy’s really grateful that you’re helping by the way.”

Gingham was pouring another full mug of black coffee. “Aw shucks, anythin’ to spend the evenin’ with my best friend.”

Rainy blushed. The two spent the next fifteen minutes finishing their breakfast before Gingham resumed her shift and Rainy headed off to Sweet Feathers Sanctuary.

Rainy trod the familiar path to the sanctuary like she’d done many times before, but each time still felt a little different this time of year. The weather was given to bouts of extreme fluctuation between days, sometimes even within the same day, and the forest itself was no different. Most of the trees were at least half bare of their leaves this late in autumn, though sometimes the winds would have already swept them away or they could build up along the roads for days at a time leaving no trace of the ground beneath. That was the case this morning.

She rustled through the thick layer of leaves until she made it to the sanctuary and met up with Fluttershy; Rainy noted that she was wearing a peculiar green shirt, covered in pockets. The two friends greeted each other with a hug.

Fluttershy took in Rainy’s festive apparel. “My, your costume looks wonderful, I loved the ‘Little Red Riding Hoof’ story when I was a filly! You and Gingham must have worked so hard.”

Rainy’s cheeks became flushed. “Oh it was mostly Gingham. I mean she’s the fashiony one, I can barely stitch up a hole in my scarf.”

“Don’t be modest now I’m sure she couldn’t have done it without you” Said Fluttershy with a hoof on Rainy’s shoulder. “Come on now, we have a lot of work to do before we celebrate.” She said, taking her hoof off and gesturing for Rainy to follow her into the supply room to prepare for their day’s work.

The day was pushing into late afternoon now, Rainy and Fluttershy were finishing off their duties at the sanctuary by restocking the shelves in the supply room.

“Are you gonna be dressing up for tonight?” Asked Rainy

Fluttershy hesitated. “Not exactly, I used to be so scared of Nightmare Night, I wouldn’t even leave my cottage.” She smiled sheepishly. “I used to worry about the silliest little things when it came to costumes, but my friend Rainbow Dash gave me this old Daring Do cosplay of hers when I told her I was running a petting zoo this year.” Rainy turned around from her current task to see Fluttershy now wearing a rugged and well-worn pith helmet.

“Awww that’s a great costume for you!” Rainy beamed.

Fluttershy giggled. “Oh thank you, it’s really not much of a costume though. I’m just happy it doesn’t restrict my wings.” She said, flexing her wings to their full span. Rainy looked down at her cape, which completely restricted her own wings and blushed. “What’s Gingham going as by the way?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Oh she wouldn’t tell me, she wanted it to be a surprise.” Replied Rainy.

“I’m sure it’ll be just as wonderful as yours. I’ve heard great things from Rarity about her work.” Said Fluttershy.

Rainy rolled her eyes. “Don’t let her hear you say that, it’ll all go to her head.”

Soon they were done with their work inside and went to wrangle the critters for the petting zoo. It was filled with unconventional animals for a children’s attraction with snakes, bats, owls, some tarantulas and moths, there was even a grizzly bear. Fluttershy felt that it should at least try to fit the theme of Nightmare Night, and that it would be good to help young foals see that these animals weren’t as dangerous as they might think. Still there were the more usual examples like bunnies and pigs for safety.

Fluttershy wiped the sweat from her brow. “Phew! I think that’s all of them.” She said with an exasperated voice.

Rainy felt much the same. “You sure you don’t need my help getting them into Ponyville?” She asked.

“No, no, it’s your first Nightmare Night in Ponyville, you should go have some fun before you end up working all evening. Besides Angel's always here to lend a paw." Fluttershy's little white bunny hopped out wearing an adorable little vampire costume and puffed his chest out proudly. "And I have a friend coming by to help out later."

Rainy was intrigued. “Ooh, anyone I know?” She asked.

Fluttershy smiled coyly. “It’s a surprise.”

Rainy had arrived back in Ponyville and streets were teeming with festivity. There were jack-o-lanterns on every doorstep, giving the town a creepy orange hue that cast 'frightening' shadows from the hanging decorations. Everypony in town was in costume, from colts and fillies to mares and stallions. Groups of children were being chaperoned as they trick-or-treated while others participated in traditional Nightmare Night games.

She made her to Gingham’s house and let herself in. She shut the door behind her and yelled up the stairs. “Gingham! You ready?!”

The sound of a fumbling commotion echoed down the staircase. “Just a minute!” Cried Gingham.

Rainy rolled her eyes and stood patiently, tapping her hoof on the floor as her wait grew far past a single minute. Eventually she was called up by Gingham. “Okay, ya can come up now!” Rainy cantered up the stairs and knocked on Gingham’s door. “Close your eyes!” Yelled Gingham from inside.

“Eyes closed!” Rainy giggled. She then heard the door open.

“Okay open up!” Siad Gingham, her voice smitten with excitement.

Rainy opened her eyes to see Gingham in a rather modest pose, wearing a deep pink taffeta gown, with bands of yellow and adorned with small, smooth gems. On her head was a gold tiara, a shawl was wrapped around her shoulders, and she had glass slippers on her hooves.

“You look amazing.” Said Rainy, mouth agape.

Gingham’s face was beaming red. “Ya think so? It’s an almost perfect replica of Rarity’s first Grand Gallopin’ Gala dress!” She was craning her head around herself to admire her own work. “O’ course the gems ain’t real and the tiara ain’t actually gold but who’s gonna notice?”

Rainy and Gingham were outside revelling in the festivities. First they enjoyed caramel apples, and other Nightmare Night treats. Rainy lost to Gingham by just two points at the spider toss. She had her moment at the apple bobbing though, Gingham barely got her head in the water from fear of getting her dress wet. Rainy stood by holding her tiara throughout the entire ordeal. She only managed to get one apple out. By its stalk no less.

They were both equally hopeless at the pumpkin launching, they both just laughed over each other as they completely over or undershot the target. Every so often a group of foals would come up to beg for candy which Rainy happily obliged to. A couple of fillies made a point of admiring her costume.

“You look just like her!”

“That story’s my favourite!”

“Can I have more candy?”

Rainy just blushed and tried to divert credit to Gingham. She could tell she was at least a little annoyed that no one had recognised her costume yet. After the fifth filly to recognise Little Red Riding Hoof, Rainy saw Gingham scowling away from her.

“Come on Gingham, you and Rarity are probably the only ponies that would recognise you.” She said jokingly.

It was time for the pair to begin work at the petting zoo which had been set up at the town square the day before. Rainy saw Fluttershy finishing up a conversation with her friend Applejack, who left with a group of three fillies. All the animals were there, even a couple extra such as a giraffe wearing a ghost costume that barely made its way down the giraffe’s long neck, Angel could be seen hopping around checking in on the animals in their pens.

Fluttershy turned around and saw the pair of ponies and waved them over. She was about to say hello and thank them but was taken aback by Gingham. “Oh my, you look just like her.” she gasped.

Gingham gave Rainy a smug look. “Looks like it ain’t just me and Rarity who’d recognise this dress.”

Rainy rolled her eyes. "She was actually at that Gala, she would obviously remember it."

Fluttershy laughed. “Well, I did also help make the original.”

Gingham’s jaw dropped. “You helped make Rarity’s first ever Grand Gallopin’ Gala dress?!”

“Mmhmm.” Fluttershy didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. “Come on now, we have to get ready to open up. Gingham, I was wondering if you could handle the ticket table? Rainy’s told me what a good hostess you are at the Hay Burger so you’d be perfect for front of house business.”

Gingham smirked at Rainy who responded with a sheepish smile and reddened cheeks. “Sure thing, Miss Fluttershy, Ah won’t let ya down.” Said Gingham, oozing country charm.

“Thank you Gingham, I’m sure I can count on you.” Fluttershy smiled. “Rainy, could you come with me? I’d like to make sure all the animals are settled before we start letting ponies in.

Rainy followed Fluttershy around the pens, helping Fluttershy make her final checks. “How’d you get all these guys here on your own? There’s way more than we rounded up.” She asked.

“Aww, well a few decided they wanted to come last minute when they saw the rest of them getting to go. It was no trouble at all when my friend came to help.” Replied Fluttershy.

“When do I get to find out this surprise pony’s name?” Asked a frustrated Rainy.

Fluttershy giggled. “Oh you’ll see.”

Almost as soon as she’d said that, thunder rumbled throughout the sky, which swirled with immense, dark clouds. A hooded figure appeared from thin air in front of the moon with a crack of lightning. The spectre swooped overhead at incredible speed, absorbing the flames of the candles and lanterns it flew by, leaving a fiery trail behind.. The ponies quivered as they watched the figure finally land in town square, the hooded cape burst into flame, burning off into embers to reveal a midnight blue alicorn.

“Citizens of Ponyville, it is I: your Princess of the Night!” Her voice echoed through the streets as she walked through the crowd of trembling ponies. “I have come here for one purpose and one purpose only.” She boomed. “To wish you all a happy Nightmare Night.” Her voice was suddenly sweet and she smiled. The once frozen with fear ponies all stood to applaud and cheer. “Thank you, thank you all!”

The princess took a bow and moved toward the pens. “I believe Fluttershy's expecting me.” She said to Gingham.

Gingham was flustered, she fumbled through the instructions left by Fluttershy. “Uh, yeah, su- sure is. Go right in princess.”

“Thank you.” Said Luna.

Rainy stood in shock as the princess approached.

“Surprise.” Siad Fluttershy, trying to sound sly.

Fluttershy then greeted the princess. “My, Luna, you’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

“Thank you Fluttershy.” The princess smiled. “I wouldn’t have been able to do so if not for your suggestions.”

Rainy shot Fluttershy a puzzled look and she responded by shifting her eyes nervously.

“Might I ask for your friend's name?” Asked Luna.

“Oh this is Rainy, she and her friend are helping run things this year.” She cooed.

“Pleased to meet you Miss Rainy.” Luna bowed her head slightly.

Rainy was amazed by the princess’s casual demeanour. She opted to not make a fool of herself and swallowed her nerves. “P-pleased to meet you as well Princess.”

Luna smiled. “Please, any friend of Fluttershy’s is a friend of mine. Call me Luna.”

Rainy simply smiled in response. “What brings you to Ponyville Luna?”

Luna tilted her head. “You must be new here. I come here every year on Nightmare Night. Why, Fluttershy was there at my very first.”

“I’d love to hear that story.” Rainy said with eagerness.

Fluttershy and Luna both shifted their eyes nervously, each fidgeting with their hooves in some way. “Perhaps another time.” She stifled an embarrassed smirk. “I’d love to stay and chat Fluttershy but I must meet with Zecora. It seems that some of the younger foals are already about to offer their candy to the statue of Nightmare Moon and I wouldn’t want them to miss out on what I have planned for this year.” Said Luna.

Fluttershy nodded. “Of course Luna, we’re still on for tea at my place after?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” The princess winked. She then began to rise into the air. “Love the costume by the way Rainy, ‘twas one of my favourite stories as a filly. She raised her hooves up to the sky with clouds swirling around her. “You may all live to see another Nightmare Night yet.” Her immense voice boomed and with a clap of thunder she disappeared.

Rainy winced at the deafening sound. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”

Their preparations done, Fluttershy and Rainy opened up for business. It was simple work taking small groups of foals between the pens and making sure they knew how to treat the animals. Rainy was surprised to see how well some of them responded to the scarier critters that were present. Particularly a young filly who was more than happy to let a tarantula crawl over her, much to the dismay of her friends.

The night was going off without a hitch but as it went on, Rainy noticed dark storm clouds gathering in the distance over the forest. She put it to the back of her mind, she had work to do. She carried on as normal, having what was turning about to be a wonderful Nightmare Night. She’d had fun with Gingham, the children were enjoying the petting zoo, and she had the rest of the night with her friends to look forward to.

Then she felt water sprinkling down on to her nose. She looked up to see the sky completely clad in cloud. A single dark, churning mass that began to rumble followed immediately by a flash of lightning. The rain began a torrential downpour, the ground was soaked in seconds and ponies clamoured around to take shelter.

Fluttershy, Rainy and Gingham galloped toward each other.

“What’s goin’ on? They never plan rain for Nightmare Night.” Said Gingham, trying to shelter herself from the rain with a clipboard.

“I don’t know. But we need to do something quick! Most of these animals are just babies, they can't be out in this rain for long.” Replied Fluttershy with tremendous worry in her voice.

They heard a magical twinkle accompanied by a shimmer of light.

“Luna! Did you do this?” Asked Fluttershy.

The princess held a sullen expression. “I’m afraid not my friend. These clouds come from the Everfree forest and my magic has no here.” She looked at the three ponies before her. “I am sorry.”

Fluttershy approached Luna and looked her deeply in the eyes. “Please Luna, don’t blame yourself, I need you right now.”

Luna winced, then opened her eyes with determination spread across her face. “What would you have me do?”

“We need to get these animals back to the sanctuary.”

Luna’s mouth dropped slightly. “I- I’m sorry Fluttershy, but these clouds have completely encircled the town and magic from the Everfree holds might beyond ponies. I cannot simply magic them all back right now.” She looked down at the ground and then raised her head back up with a determined smirk. “But I can do this!” A soft beam of light shot from the princess’s horn and a magical, dim-blue dome grew from out of it covering all of the pens.

Rainy and Gingham looked at each other exchanging a mental acknowledgement that this was way out of their league.

“Thank you so much princess.” Fluttershy bowed her head.

“Anything for a friend.” Luna remarked.

“What do we do now?” Rainy interjected.

Fluttershy looked to Luna hoping she could explain.

“It may seem dire but this is merely a result of the Everfree’s chaotic nature. All we must do is wait for the storm to pass naturally.” She said, sounding very aloof.

“Ya mean we’re stuck out here all night?” Gingham cried. The animals were now coming out of their pens and coming over to Fluttershy with worried and frightened looks.

Luna nodded. “The dome of protection can follow me wherever I go but I can think of nowhere else to accommodate these creatures.”

Fluttershy looked around at every creature present. “It’ll be okay dears, no need to worry.” She said while almost all the animals smushed up against her for comfort.

Rainy’s heart was sinking, she felt like everything was falling apart. Like the night had been ruined. She racked her mind for a solution, any solution, but she knew there was nothing she could do to fight off this storm. Then a thought popped into her head which she immediately spoke aloud.

“Why not the inn?”

Every creature stared at her confused.

“The inn I’m staying at. There’s a cider garden in the back. It might be a little cozy but I’m sure we could all fit in.” She said trying to sound assured.

Fluttershy smiled, her eyes looking at Rainy with endearment. “Why not?” She looked up at Luna who nodded in agreement.

Gingham approached her friend. “Sounds good to me!” She said raising her hoof for a hoof-bump to which Rainy obliged.

The motley crew walked down the dampened streets of Ponyville at a steady pace. The pitter patter of rain against the dome echoing inside. Everyone did their part to make sure the animals were okay. Gingham had been stuck with the job of carrying the spiders on her back which she reluctantly accepted; it seemed that they were fans of her dress according to Fluttershy. Rainy reprieved from making the obvious joke about Gingham’s misfortune but she could see Gingham noticed the the smirk she was holding back.

They passed by a number of trick-or-treater groups being led by older unicorns providing smaller magical domes of protection so they could finish their celebrations.

“At least their night isn’t a total disaster.” Luna remarked.

They came to the door of the inn and Rainy emerged from Luna’s dome to knock on the door and was soon greeted by Hearth Keeper.

“Oh dearie get in right this second! You’ll catch a cold out there.” She was wearing a very out of character flashy red dress and a feathered headband. She even had a full face of makeup and a fake mole on her cheek.

“Actually Hearth, I was wondering if my friends could come in?” She said with a sheepish smile, moving out of the way to reveal the crowd behind her.

Hearth’s eyes widened to twice their natural size. “I’m sorry dear but I don’t think we have the space. Every room’s booked and the dining room’s full with the mystery night we’re doing."

Hearth’s husband came out from the parlour. He was holding a black pipe in his mouth and sported a slicked back mane and mustache which wasn’t there the last time Rainy saw him.

“I deduct that Miss Day meant to ask for use of the cider garden my dear Hearth.” Said Humble.

Hearth looked back at her husband and shook her head with a smile at him.

He reverted to his normal demeanour. “I’ll go open up the gate in the back Rainy, you and your friends just head round.” He said with a heart warming smile.

“I’ll get the kettle on.” Hearth cooed.

The group of friends spent the rest of the night in the back of the Humble Hearth Inn, swapping ghost stories, drinking tea and cider, and waited for the storm to pass. In the end, it was Nightmare Night they would never forget.