Chapter 10

“Come on, sheriff, it was a misunderstanding!”

“If it was a misunderstandin’, then why’d you run?”

“Uh…force of habit?”

“Nice try, but fool me once? Shame on me.”

A few days had passed since Twilight’s little freak-out of being tardy and Celestia’s visit. Arthur was much more relaxed and content now that he was truly accepted as Ponyville’s sheriff. Though his days as sheriff in Ponyville were mostly quiet, there was the occasional squabble or ruckus. Though even the worst of those were usually scattered with a stern glare. Today though, today was not one of those days.

As it turned out, a stallion had rolled into town with a cart full of defective magical trinkets he was trying to sell on the cheap. Authur didn’t have a clue how magic counterfeits worked, but the line of disgruntled ponies with singed fur that had come to him complaining was all he needed to know something wasn’t on the up and up. After a confrontation, a lasso around a fleeing criminal, and a hogtie later, Arthur was walking his catch to the barracks for processing.

“Now, why did ya think it was the smartest idea to sell shotty stuff like that?”

“Oh come on, it’s the best way to make a quick bit! Besides, I had just purchased those goods. How was I supposed to know they’d go unstable that fast?”

“Well for one, you ain’t a licensed merchant. Second, you watched one of those combs turn Pinkie into a ball of crackling static electricity. She’d be really mad, if she could stop laughing about it and shocking folks.”

“But I gave everypony back their money, Right? That’s gotta count for something.”

“Nope, ya done the deed, now ya gotta face it like a stallion.” Arthur shook his head.

“Damn…”

Soon, the gunslinger dropped his perp off at the barracks so the other guards could handle it from there. He then resumed his rounds through Ponyville. As Arthur paced through town, he noticed that ponies were decorating the buildings with strange decorations. There were strands of fake skulls that hung from one building to the other, there were ponies that were carving little faces on pumpkins, and he even noticed a few ponies trying on strange looking costumes. All the sights Arthur was seeing made his curiosity perk up as he hummed to himself and scratched his chin.

“Hello, Arthur.”

Arthur turned to see Mayor Mare walk up to him with a friendly smile.

“Afternoon, Johanna, how are ya?”

“I’m quite fine, thank you for asking. Are you looking forward to tomorrow tonight’s celebration?”

“Is that what’s goin’ on? Cause I have no idea what this is all for.”

“You don’t know what Nightmare Night is?”

“Afraid not,” Arthur shook his head. “I’m new around these parts, remember?”

“Oh of course,” Johanna said sheepishly. “Well, Arthur, Nightmare Night is a festival celebrated annually in Ponyville, in which foals dress up in costumes and go door-to-door collecting candy. Festival activities include a carnival with various games, musical entertainment, and a tradition in which candy is offered to the effigy of Nightmare Moon.”

“Sounds like fun, and who’s this Nightmare Moon character?”

“I see there is much about our history that is still unfamiliar to you.” Johanna commented. “To make a long tale short, she was once an evil mare who Celestia banished to the moon a thousand years ago. Some time ago she had returned from the moon to try and eclipse the world in eternal night but Twilight and her friends managed to stop her.”

“Huh, this world of magic is just full of surprises.” Arthur mumbled.

“Will you be wearing a costume of sorts?”

“Me? Naw, I might not even attend this little shindig.”

“Oh but Arthur you must. It will be so much fun, I am sure you would enjoy it.” Johanna pleaded.

“You might be right, but that sorta thing doesn’t really sound like anythin’ I’d be too interested in. This night’s for them foals, right? I’ll just stick to my duty and make sure no one does anythin’ questionable so that y’all can have your fun.”

Johanna was about to plead more but knew better than to try and ask for something that was more or less unlikely to happen. “Very well, Arthur, if that is what you wish then I shall respect your decision.”

“Thank ya kindly,” Arthur tipped his hat. “And by the way, remember that little get together we talked about?”

“Of course.”

“After tonight’s festivities, meet me at my campsite. We’ll share a drink by the fire, sound good?” Johannas cheeks flushed red at Arthur’s offer but smiled and nodded her head. “Great, see ya then Johanna,” The gunslinger said with a wink and walked away, leaving the mayor blushing more and fanning herself with her hand.

The day dragged on until the sun began its descent for the night to come. Arthur had finished pacing through Ponyville once more and it was time for him to call it for the day. As he made his way back to the barracks to inform the others that he was done, a group of familiar foals came running up to him with excited smiling faces.

“Hi. Arthur!” They all said in unison.

“Well howdy there, kids,” Arthur said as he kneeled down in front of them. “Y’all seem to be excited.”

“You bet!” Scootaloo said. “Tomorrow night’s Nightmare Night! And we’re gonna get so much candy, we might get our cutie marks for candy collecting!”

“Is that a thing?” Sweetie Belle wondered.

“Hey, it’s a cutie mark, anything’s possible,” Apple Bloom shrugged.

“What about you, Arthur?” Pipsqueak asked. “Will you be joining everypony else tonight?”

“Afraid not,” Arthur shook his head. “I’ll just be on the side lines, making sure no one causes trouble.”

“WHAT?!” The foals all cried.

“But Arthur, you have to be a part of Nightmare Night!” Pipsqueak said.

“Yeah! There’s gonna be fun games, yummy treats, and you get to dress up in a cool costume!” Sweetie Belle said.

“I’m sure we can find you an awesome costume to wear!” Scootaloo added.

“Please, Arthur? It’ll be so much fun!” Apple Bloom begged.

“I appreciate the kind gesture kids,” Arthur said as he stood back up. “But I prefer to stick to my own tomorrow night.”

The foals looked at each other and nodded. All at once, they stood shoulder to shoulder, folded their hands, drooped their ears, and made their bottom lips quiver.

“Please…?” They all said in unison.

Arthur stared at the foals as they gave him the biggest puppy dog faces he’d ever seen. His eye twitched and tried to look away but those big eyes of theirs seemed to entrance him. With a heavy sigh and a hard pinch on the bridge of his muzzle, Arthur dragged his hand down his face and nodded his head in defeat.

“…Fine.”

“YAY!!” The foals cheered as they jumped for joy.

“But I ain’t puttin’ on no fancy costume. I don’t dress up,” Arthur stated firmly, remembering his little act he put on with Hosea as Melvin and Fenton.

“Are you sure Arthur? I think you’d make a cool pirate Captain,” Pipsqueak said.

“I’m sure I would,” Arthur chuckled as he reached down and ruffled his head. “But I’m positive that I would prefer not to wear anything. Don’t worry though, I’ll figure something out.’

“Okay, come on everypony, let’s get our costumes ready!” Pipsqueak said as they all ran off.

“Heh, those kids,” Arthur chuckled. “But do I really gotta dress up? Maybe Twilight might know of a solution.” Arthur then adjusted his hat and continued his rounds for the rest of the day. All the while, he pondered just what he could do for the night of fright tomorrow night.

The sun was beginning to set and Arthur was making his way to the Golden Oaks Library. He didn’t bother going to any costume shops since he made it clear he was not interested in dressing up for the event tomorrow night. He soon arrived at the library and approached the door. He then knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. The door soon opened to reveal Twilight and she smiled at Arthur.

“Oh hi Arthur! You finished your shift today?” Twilight asked the sheriff.

“Howdy Twilight, I just finished my rounds,” Arthur nodded as he was invited inside. “I actually wanted to swing by and ask for a little advice.” Arthur took off his hat and combed his mane back.

Twilight nodded and gestured to Arthur to enter her home. When he was inside, she closed the door behind her using her magic and turned to face the stallion. “Sure, what can I help you with today?” She asked him, but she noticed his attention was now on the mannequin wearing a wizard’s robe littered with bells.

“That’s…quite the piece of wardrobe ya got there.” Arthur commented. “What’s it for?”

“That’s my costume for Nightmare Night. I’m dressing up as Starswirl the Bearded.” She beamed as she walked past Arthur and stood next to her costume. “Doesn’t it look amazing?!”

“Uh, yeah sure,” Arthur nodded. “But who’s this Starswirl feller?”

Twilight’s pupils shrank to that of pins when the question vibrated into her ear and reached her brain. “What?! You don’t know who THE Starswirl the Bearded was?! Father of the amniomorphic spell?!”

“Afraid not,” The gunslinger shrugged. “I ain’t from around these parts, if you recall.”

With her cheeks burning up, Twilight scratched the back of her head in embarrassment and let loose a very quiet giggle. “Sorry, I keep forgetting…” She muttered before clearing her throat. “Anyway, he was a very famous pony mage who created many of the spells we still use today. I really hope I will become as famous and important as him one day…”

“Well shoot, sounds like a feller I’d’ve like to meet,” Arthur hummed. “Anyway, I came to visit you cause I need help lookin’ the part for this Nightmare Night shindig that’s happenin’ tomorrow night.”

“Oh, you don’t have a costume yet? If you need one, I’m sure Rarity will craft you one for tomorrow.”

“See, that there’s the problem,” Arthur pointed at Twilight. “I don’t exactly wanna wear any costume of the sort, never really liked wearing anything out of the ordinary. Now I’m told that everyone else is gonna be in their own little costumes and I’ll most certainly be the odd pony out. So have ya got any alternatives in mind?”

Twilight hummed and furrowed her brows in thought whilst she crossed her arms before her chest. She continued to brainstorm for a solution to her friend’s plight. She closed her eyes and thinned her lips, until she shot them open with a grin adored on her face. “I got it!”

“What’ve ya got?” Arthur wondered.

“A solution to your problem,” she answered him and rushed to one of her desks, which were cluttered with vials and flasks filled with concoctions she has been experimenting with. She rummaged through the vials and inspected each one with a fine eye. “No. No. Definitely not!” She spoke to herself as she searched for a specific vial. “Ah ha! Here we are,” She then returned to Arthur with a bottle filled with a maroon coloured liquid. “Drink a bit of this right now please.”

Arthur gazed at the strange liquid within the vial and arched a brow at Twilight. “And what’s this…whatever this stuff’s supposed to be?”

“It’s something I’ve been working on for Nurse Redheart and Doctor Hooves,” Twilight replied and handed the vial to Arthur. “It was supposed to be an alternative to x-rays, cause some ponies are still rather nervous when it comes to radiation and such…”

“This ain’t gonna turn me into a frog or nothin’, is it?” Arthur accused.

“What?! No! I’m not a novice when it comes to potions… though this one did have a different result than what we were aiming for…” She trailed on, but then shook her head in a fast motion. “But no, this potion won’t transform you into something like a frog.”

Arthur stared at Twilight who smiled confidently and reassuringly at him. He looked at the vial again and shrugged his shoulders since it was better than wearing some strange costume. He downed the contents of the potion, which tasted like licorice, and smacked his lips. “Now what?”

Twilight focused her magic on a mirror and levitated it to her side. “Take a look.”

At first, there was no change in Arthur’s appearance. Suddenly, Arthur’s body began to feel strange for the gunslinger. The mirror showed his body begin to change, but not in the way both he and Twilight expected. It looked as if his flesh was rotting away and his eyes became glazed and white. His muzzle’s flesh also looked like it was rotting away which exposed his now yellow teeth. Lastly, his mane turned dry and mangled, blas spots forming all over his head. Both ponies gazed in both shock and horror at the mirror, Arthur looked like he had crawled out of the cemetery as a walking undead pony.

“WHAT IN TARNATION?!” Arthur shouted, his voice sounding hoarse and rough.

Twilight averted her eyes from the deceased-looking stallion before she continued. “Well, I reversed the effects of an invisibility potion to reveal the bones and organs of the pony body, but I didn’t take into account the sinew and flesh that is layered above. So instead of just bones, well…something like this happened.” She finished her explanation, but Arthur kept staring at her.

“I LOOK LIKE I JUST CRAWLED OUT OF THE DAMN EARTH!” Arthur spat harshly. “I CAN’T GO AROUND LOOKIN’ LIKE THIS! I’LL BE CHASED OUT FASTER THAN A HOG ON A GRILL!”

“It’s not permanent!” Twilight tried to calm Arhtur down as she waved her hands in front of her. “It just lasts a few hours…” She mumbled but immediately cleared her throat. “But don’t worry. The point of Nightmare Night is to scare and have fun…and you sure will scare a few foals with that look,” she smiled meekly with a bead of sweat rolling down her forehead.

Arthur stared at Twilight, making her gulp nervously, before sighing and walked over to a chair and slumped down on it. “Fine, you’re lucky I’m still somewhat in a good mood,” Arthur grumbled. “I’ll be stickin’ around here ‘till this crazy concoction wears off. So I guess you might as well make me another one of them for tomorrow.”

“Of course! Spike!” She called out to her assistant, who exited the bathroom wearing a costume of his own… of a dragon. Although once he saw Arthur, he stopped dead in his tracks and went wide eyed.

“Uh…howdy there, Spike,” Arthur said with a mock wave.

Spike let loose a scream and ran to behind Twilight. He pointed a shaking talon to Arthur. “What the hay happened to him?!”

“Her fault.” Arthur scoffed, nodding to Twilight.

Twilight sighed and turned to her assistant. “Spike, remember that potion I tried to work on for Nurse Redheart and Doctor Hooves?”

“You used that on him?” Spike asked and Twilight nodded. “I told you it was a bad idea to use it on anypony!”

“It’s not a bad idea, just a bad execution!” Twilight countered. “Besides, this is just for Nightmare Night, seeing as Arhtur doesn’t have a costume for tomorrow…and looking at him this way, what with a bit of fake blood for added effect, it will be perfect for tomorrow…” She continued on as she channeled Rarity’s creativity.

“Ugh, just what am I to do with this mess?” Arthur grumbled. Just then, there was another knock on the door and Applejack, of all ponies came walking in.

“Howdy Twi, have ya seen Arthur?” She asked, not yet noticing the undead-looking stallion sitting on the chair.

Arhtur waved at Applejack, with a nervous smile that exposed his teeth and jaw tendons. Applejack froze in her walk but then narrowed her eyes and was about to lunge at Arthur.

“What the buck are you?!” The farm mare demanded. However, Twilight was quicker to act as she teleported in front of Applejack with her arms raised. “Get outta the way, Twi! Can’t ya see there’s some kind of rottin’ corpse behind ya?!”

“Applejack! Calm down! That’s Arhtur!” Twilight shouted as she guarded the stallion.

“What?! No it ain’t!” Applejack snapped. “Our sheriff ain’t somethin’ that looks like it crawled outta Tartarus!”

Arthur sighed and stood up and walked over to the two mares. Applejack was about to push Twilight to the side, but Arthur just raised his hand. “Take it easy, Applejack, what Twilight here says is true.” He sighed again, noticing she was calming down but was beginning to look more shocked. “How’s Big Mac doin’ lately?”

“What the…it’s really you Arthur?” Applejack asked and the gunslinger nodded. “What in the sweet hay happened to ya?!”

“Ask her,” Arthur scoffed, making Twilight smile sheepishly.

All eyes landed on Twilight, who let out an audible gulp as her eyes darted from one corner to the other. “Remember when Nurse Redheart and Doctor Hooves asked me to make them a potion?”

The Next Day
Nightmare Night

Arthur stood by his campsite with a fresh vial of the potion Twilight made for him. With the sun about to set, Arthur dressed in some old clothes he had pulled out from his satchel. Old rips and torn pieces that he had kept solely for wearing when he knew he’d end up running them. He looked towards the town of Ponyville and smiled, since he was actually looking forward to being a part of its festivities. If it wasn’t for those foals giving him puppy dog eyes, he would probably be stuck at his campsite all night. He glanced down at his belt to see his revolver and lasso clipped to his belt. Just because he was going to be part of tonight’s event, doesn’t mean he would go unprepared in case something happened.

Arthur then looked up to the sun and watched it lower beyond the horizon. As the moon rose and the stars twinkled in the sky, Arthur uncorked the vial and downed the licorice tasting elixir. The gunslinger then tucked the vial in his pocket and made his way to town. As he walked, the effects of the potion began to change his body into the undead stallion from before. As Twilight predicted, any pony who saw Arthur went wide eyed from either shock, fear, or admiration at how scary Arthur looked. He decided to go see Twilight and thank her for helping him since she was right about how well the potion worked out for him. As he neared the library, he saw that there were already a group of foals at the door with an elderly looking mare. She had green fur and a white mane done up in a bun. Her brown and cream dress hid her tail and she was wearing an orange scarf with pictures of apples on it and white frills. She was also wearing a frilly white apron with a picture of an apple pie on it. The door opened to reveal Spike in his dragon costume and Twilight in her Starswirl costume.

“Hi everypony, great costumes. Happy Nightmare Night, Granny Smith,” She greeted her visitors.

“I should’ve been asleep five hours ago…” The elderly mare complained.

Twilight giggled as she used her magic to place a piece of candy in each of the foals’ bags. From the group, a young colt dressed as a pirate squeezed his way through and was revealed to be Pipsqueak. He waved his rubber sword around playfully which brought a smile to Arthur’s face seeing how happy he looked.

“Pipsqueak the pirate, at your service!” The colt saluted. “It’s my very first Nightmare Night!”

“Since you moved here from Trottingham?” Twilight guessed.

“No, my very first Nightmare Night ever!” Pipsqueak chirped, before Pinkie popped up out of nowhere, dressed in a chicken costume.

The hell? Arthur thought.

“Enough chit chat! Time is candy!” Pinkie snapped.

“Pinkie Pie, aren’t you a little old for this?” Twilight questioned.

“Too old for free candy?” Pinkie gasped. “Never!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and gave the party mare a piece. Arthur then took this opportunity to make himself known and approached the group. Although, as soon as everyone saw him, most of the foals, Granny Smith, and Pinkie Pie froze as they stared at the undead gunslinger. Twilight and Spike, however, smiled at Arthur.

“Evenin’ everyone,” Arthur greeted.

“ZOMBIE!” The foals screamed as they and Granny Smith ran away, leaving Pinkie Pie and Pipsqueak.

“Hello Arthur, I told you it would work,” Twilight said, making Arthur chuckle and nod his head in agreement.

“Hold on a second!” Pinkie said. “Arty? Is that really you?”

“Yep, not too shabby eh?” Arthur smiled, showing off his fake rotting teeth. Pipsqueak stepped forward towards Arthur, who seemed more calm after knowing it was him and gazed up at the gunslinger with eyes of admiration. “Well howdy there, Pip, that there’s a nice lookin’ costume.” Arthur kneeled down to be at eye level with the colt.

“Woah…Arthur you look so scary!” Pip said with a smile. “I thought you were a real life zombie!”

“I’ll say, you made those and even Granny Smith run for the hills!” Pinkie commented.

“Well that is the idea, ain’t it Twilight?” Arthur said, glancing at the librarian.

Twilight nodded, with her bells jingling on her costume. “That’s right, now let’s go have some fun everypony,” she said as she walked alongside Spike towards the town centre, with Arthur and Pip behind her. Whilst she and her assistant were exchanging remarks on her choice of costume, the two males in the back were silently observing.

“So Pip, I hear this is your first shindig?” Arthur asked and Pip nodded.

“That’s right! My first ever!” Pip said.

“Well then that would make two of us since this here’s my first time too.”

“Really? You haven’t celebrated Nightmare Night before?” Pipsqueak asked, surprised.

“Nope, we didn’t exactly celebrate too many things where I’m from,” Arthur shook his head. “What about you? Didn’t your parents ever take you out?”

Pip stopped walking and looked down with a frown and his ears drooped. “I…don’t have parents.” Pip said quietly. Arthur paused and looked back at Pip. “I was left and raised at an orphanage in Trottingham before it closed down. The other foals and I were then sent here to Ponyville. I’ve been on my own ever since…”

Arthur frowned and noticed there were a few small tears forming in Pip’s eyes. Pip seemed to be such a kind and happy little colt when Arthur met him and had no idea Pip had that kind of past. Arthur approached Pip and kneeled down and placed a hand on his head.

“I’m powerfully sorry about that, Pip, ya seem like a nice colt.” Arthur said softly as he rubbed Pip’s head gently. “Ya shouldn’t let yourself get sad over somethin’ that ain’t true.”

“What do you mean?” Pip wondered.

“You ain’t alone.” Arthur said. “Ya got your friends, these here ponies who always smile at the sight of ya, and…” Arthur reached out and wrapped Pip in a hug. “Ya got me too. So no more tears, ya hear?”

Pip’s eyes welled up with tears but managed to hold them back at Arthur’s request. He didn’t care that Arthur looked like an undead stallion, because underneath the illusion was his close friend who spoke as though he knew what it was like to be alone. Pip returned the hug and wrapped his little arms to hug Arthur back.

“…Thank you, Arthur.” Pip whispered.

Arthur smiled and nodded and he pulled back and stood up straight. “Now then, let’s go and get that there sack of yours filled with sweets. I can scare the ponies into giving ya more than what they’re offerin’.”

“Yay!” Pip cheered as he continued to walk with Arthur.

The pair soon caught up with Twilight and Spike and they were speaking with Applejack, who was dressed like some kind of scarecrow, and they stood near a large barrel filled with water and apples floating in it. By the look of Twilight’s disappointed expression, Applejack must have gotten Twilight’s costume wrong again. All the ponies then gathered around a stage where Mayor Mare stood at a podium. She was dressed as a clown with a big poofy rainbow afro wig.

“Thank you, and welcome to the Nightmare Night festival!” Mayor Mare announced, earning a round of applause. Arthur stood near the back of the crowd and tried to stifle a laugh at the sight of the mayor’s costume while Pip squirmed his way to the front.

“Now, all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend Zecora to hear the legend of…Nightmare Moon!” She spoke in a spooky voice before letting out a fake evil laugh.

“Spooky voice might’ve worked if she wasn’t dressed like that.” Spike muttered, making Twilight giggle and Arthur snort in amusement. Mayor Mare looked to the side to see a green mist appear on the stage to reveal a zebra mare who Arthur had not seen before. She wore a black robe with a white wig with spiders in it, along with her golden neck band and loop earrings for decoration.

“Who’s that?” Arthur asked Pip curiously..

“That’s Zecora, she and Apple Bloom are good friends.” Pip said.

Zecora looked over her gathering young audience and grinned when she was about to speak. “Follow me, and very soon… you will hear the tale of Nightmare Moon,” she spoke eerily with a strange mist gathering from her hooves. The group followed her outside of town to a statue of an evil looking mare.

“Listen close, my little dears, I’ll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary,” she paused and blew out the powder that was brought to life by some unknown magic.

“Of Nightmare Night, who makes you wary.” she said as she blew on some more powder she drew from her pouch, which conjured an image of a monster.

“Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves from her searching eyes,” Zecora continued and the foals screamed and jumped in fright from the conjurations she had manifested.

Zecora smirked as she looked around. “But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing: to gobble up ponies in one quick swing!” she yelled out as the illusion of Nightmare Moon charged at the unsuspecting foals, who yelled out and closed their eyes as the smoke neared. “Hungrily, she soars the sky. If she sees nopony, she passes by. So if she comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe another year!”

With a loud gulp, Pipsqueak walked up towards the zebra. “Uh, Miss Zecora, if we wear costumes to hide from Nightmare Moon, so she won't gobble us up, how come we still need to give her some of our candy?”

Zecora chuckled and waved her hands to control the mist. “A perfect question, my little friend. For Nightmare Moon you must not offend,” she said and blew out more powder into the air. In its place, a giant version of Nightmare Moon appeared. “Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!”

All the while, Arthur tried his best to keep his laughter at bay at the display he was witnessing. Never in all his years did he see such an amusing sight of children getting scared over a little spook story. Pip came running back to Arthur and hid behind his legs while shivering in fear. Zecora soon laid eyes on the undead gunslinger and walked up to him with curious intentions.

“That was quite the spook story, ma’am.” Arthur chuckled as he held out his hand. “I don’t think we officially met before. Name’s Arthur Morgan, sheriff of Ponyville.”

Zecora nodded at Arthur and took his outstretched hand to shake it. “A pleasure to meet you mister. I must say for tonight you look very sinister.”

“Well thank ya kindly, ma’am,” Arthur tipped his hat. “You don’t look so bad yourself. To put a word to it, you look mighty pretty for a young mare like yourself.”

The zebra mare giggled as she blushed at Arthur. Before she could comment on his compliment, a strong gust of wind alerted both adults and foals to something emerging from the cloud skies above. Three winged ponies flew from the opening, with the two in front being armored stallions whose wings resembled bats. The one behind them was a hooded alicorn who’s horn was protruding from her hood and her wings were larger than any others. With another flash of lightning, one could see a glimpse of her face and the grin present on it.

“It’s Nightmare Moon! Run!” Pinkie Pie yelled out loud as she sprinted towards Ponyville with the foals following suite. All except Pip who hid behind Arthur’s leg, with the latter’s hand on his pistol and sent a glare towards the hooded mare.

The hooded mare reached up and pulled her hood off to show her face. Arthur ceased his glare and gazed at the mare in question with a now curious yet surprised gaze. She was an alicorn mare with blue fur and a light blue mane and tail that seemed to twinkle like stars and billow in a nonexistent breeze. She had a horn and wings and cyan eyes, but unlike Celestia’s, her wings were more rounded instead of slitted, she was wearing a blue dress with black trimmings and her dress had a picture of a crescent moon on it. All the ponies immediately cowered and bowed to the lunar princess as she slowly approached them and unfurled her wings.

“Princess Luna!” Twilight said before being pulled down by Spike to bow like everyone else.

“Princess?” Arthur repeated, glancing down at Twilight. “I thought Celestia was the only Princess ‘round here?”

Twilight shook her head as she rose from the forced bow. “Oh no no no no. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have always been co-rulers of Equestria. Princess Celestia raises and lowers the sun, whist Princess Luna raises and lowers the moon. Each governs a different time. Like a time-share…” she explained to Arthur, who only nodded at her words.

Still don’t know what a ‘time-share’ is. Arthur mulled to himself.

“So why does she got wings and a horn?”

“It’s because she’s Princess Celestua’s younger sister.”

Sister?!

Luna walked towards the crowd of ponies, oblivious to their terrified forms that quaked as they bowed to the alicorn. “Citizens of Ponyville! We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real Princess of the Night! A creature of nightmares no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!” her voice boomed throughout Ponyville, with some earlobes being affected by it.

“Did you hear that, everypony? Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!” Pinkie Pie screamed and again she ran away from the princess, with the foals behind her.

“What?!” Luna’s voice became softer as she looked at the foals who scurried away. “No, children, no! You no longer have reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!” she called out to them, but to no avail. She stomped her foot with a frown upon her face and pointed a finger at Joanna. “Madame Mayor, thy Princess of the Night hath arrived!”

Mayor Mare simply gasped and squeezed her eyelids shut as she bowed, with her assistant Raven doing the same.

“What is the matter with you? Very well, then. Be that way. We won't even bother with the traditional royal farewell,” she huffed and walked away from the townsquare.

“Sweet Hellfire in a handbasket,” Arthur exhaled in disbelief. “That is Princess Luna? Not exactly what I expected her to be, that’s for damn sure.”

Twilight sighed and was about to walk towards Luna’s path, but was stopped by Spike who pulled on her robe. “Spike, what are you doing?” she asked her assistant.

“You can’t go after her! She’s Nightmare Moon!” he exclaimed.

“No she’s not!” Twilight retorted and pulled free from Spike’s grasp. “That’s just ridiculous. I saw the Elements of Harmony purifying her of the darkness.”

“Twilight, ya mind if I tag along?” Arthur offered.

“You wanna meet Princess Luna?” Spike asked nervously. “She might lash out at you!”

“Naw, she doesn’t seem like the violent type,” Arthur waved it off. “Besides, I know how to take care of myself.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay, Mr Arthur?” Pip asked.

Arthur smiled down at the colt and tousled his head. “Ya got nothin’ to worry about, Pip. Go on and enjoy the night with your friends.”

Pip nodded and ran back to join the other foals as Arthur and Twilight walked away from Ponyville in search of Princess Luna.

“So Twilight, seems you and your friends have some kind of history with Princess Luna,” Arthur said. “Care to fill me in?”

“Um, remember when I told you about how my friends and I defeated Nightmare Moon using the Elements of Harmony?” she asked Arthur, who only nodded. “Well, Princess Luna was Nightmare Moon before we saved her from the darkness.”

“No fooling?” Arthur said and Twilight nodded. “But if she’s all purified and whatnot, why’s everyone acting all squirrely around her?”

Twilight sighed. “They just haven’t gotten to know her yet, I assume… something I’m gonna rectify!” she declared to herself. Once they reached a statue of Nightmare Moon, they found Princess Luna sitting at the base whilst she fiddled with hands.

“Princess Luna?” Twilight called out to her, which gained her attention. “Hi, my name is-”

“Starswirl the Bearded. Commendable costume. Thou even got the bells right.” Luna interrupted Twilight.

Twilight exclaimed in joy. “Thank you! Finally! Somepony who gets my costume!” she said, but fell silent with the blank stare from Luna and Arthur, who just coughed.

As soon as Arthur’s presence was known, Luna eyed the undead stallion but went wide eyed. She unfurled her wings and charged up her horn and soon fired a spell at Arthur out of nowhere.

“HOLY SHIT!” Arthur yelped as he ducked just in time before the blast met its mark. Arthur reached up and took off his hat and saw there was a small burn mark in the bill, making him glare at the lunar princess. “The hell’s gotten into you, woman?! Ya nearly blasted my whole damn face off!”

“Princess Luna, wait! It’s not what you think!” Twilight tried to say.

“FOUL BEAST OF TARTARUS! PREPARE TO BE SMITED BY OUR POWER!!” Luna bellowed as she charged up another spell. Twilight, however, wouldn’t have any of it as she stood in front of Luna with her arms raised. “MOVE, TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WE MUST CLEANSE THIS EVIL!!”

Twilight shook her head viciously and used her magic to shield herself and Arthur. “He’s not from Tartarus! He’s just another stallion! He’s our sheriff too!” she tried to explain to Luna, who refused to diminish her magic. “I just used a potion to make him look like this for Nightmare Night since he couldn’t find a costume for tonight Princess! Please!” she pleaded to the alicorn.

Luna gazed at the young unicorn and the unsightly being behind her as her horn remained charged and ready to fire. While she was more than prepared to blast the gunslinger to kingdom come, Twilight’s words seemed to ring true since she would go so far as to protect her town’s sheriff.

“You there!” Luna commanded, pointing at Arthur. “What art thou called?”

Arthur straightened his hat on his head and walked past Twilight and out from her magic shield, despite her protests. He stood just in front of the lunar alicorn floating in the air and cleared his throat. “The name’s Arthur Morgan, ma’am, sheriff of Ponyville,” he tried to say in the friendliest way possible. “I suppose I should apologise for spookin’ you so much, but what the kid back there said is true.” Arthur reached up and took off his hat and placed it over his chest. “I ain’t what you think I am, I’m as alive and well as the next pony on in these parts.

With her lips thinned, Luna used her magic on Arthur to reveal what he looked like without the potion’s effect. He most certainly is alive, and dare we say… No! Focus Luna! She cancelled her magic and cleared her throat. “You are indeed a live pony! Let us introduce ourselves! WE ARE PRINCESS LUNA OF EQUESTRIA!”

“Um, Princess… no offence, but the way you are speaking, it sounds like you are yelling at us,” Twilight chirped in as she adjusted her costume right after it was lopsided by the sonic waves of Luna’s voice.

“Yellin’? She damn near almost blew my eardrums!” Arthur complained as he held his hat from being blown away. “It ain’t necessary to do all that shoutin’ and yellin’ when we’re both right in front of you.”

“But this is the traditional Royal Canterlot voice!” Luna explained. “It is tradition to speak using the royal we, and to use THIS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUR SUBJECTS!”

Sweet hellfire in a handbasket, may fuckin’ ears are gonna burst! Arthur thought as he covered his ears.

“You know, that might explain why your appearance was met with…mixed results?” Twilight said.

“Mixed results is a damn understatement, that’s for sure,” Arthur grumbled, before getting lightly elbowed by Twilight.

Luna raised an eyebrow at the other ponies’ words. “We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are…not sure we can.”

“Never say never, Princess,” Arthur smiled.

“Yeah! In fact, I think I know just the pony who might be able to help!” Twilight said as she led Arthur and Luna away from the statue.

The group made their way through Ponyville and to a familiar animal caretakers cottage on the edge of town. It made sense that Fluttershy would be able to help Luna and Arthur had tagged along to see how things would transpire.

“Don’t worry, Princess, Fluttershy can give you some great pointers,” Twilight said as they approached the door. “She’s delicate and demure with the sweetest little voice.”

“Uh, hey Twilight, you sure this is a good idea?” Arthur murmured. “I think I remember Rarity sayin’ somethin’ about Fluttershy not wantin’ anythin’ to do with this whole shindig. Somethin’ about her being more afraid than she usually is?”

Twilight only smiled, albeit nervously. “I’m sure that’s just for scary costumes…” she trailed off, her eyes focused on Arthur and his present appearance. “Though I think you might want to stick to the background…”

Arthur nodded and backed away from the door as Twilight gave it a few knocks.

“GO AWAY! NO CANDY HERE! THIS YEAR’S NOT WELCOME ON NIGHTMARE NIGHT!” Fluttershy shrieked from behind the door, making Luna give Twilight a deadpan gaze and Twilight laughed sheepishly.

“Fluttershy, it’s me, Twilight!” Twilight called out. The door opened slightly as the shy pegasus peeked out to see her friend.

“It is you,” Fluttershy said softly as she opened the door more. “Oh and Nightmare Moon and a zombie.” Only as soon as she saw Luna and Arthur, she gasped as her eyes shrunk down to pinpricks. “Nightmare Moon?! Zombie?! AAAAHH!” Fluttershy slammed the door shut, leaving the three ponies to just stand there with blank stares.

“Scary costumes, huh?” Arthur repeated to Twilight.

Twilight giggled and rubbed the back of her head as her cheeks turned red. “Wait right here,” she said and walked into the house. After what sounded like a scuffle inside, with the sound of some animals getting involved, Twilight exited the cottage with Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, you remember Princess Luna?” She introduced her friend to the princess.

“CHARMED!” Luna yelled out with a hand extended towards the terrified pegasus.

With a gasp, Fluttershy made a break for it to get back inside her house, only to be stopped in her tracks by Twilight’s magic. She was levitated towards Luna, who only stared blankly at her. “Likewise…” she uttered the words to the alicorn. Her eyes lingered to Arthur and she screamed again. “Twilight, get me away from the zombie!”

“Fluttershy, it’s me, Arthur,” Arthur tried to say, but Fluttershy shook her head.

“No! My friend isn’t some scary zombie like you!” Fluttershy said.

“Well then, how’s that rabbit friend of yours doin’ these days?” Arthur asked.

“He’s quite fine, thank you! But…wait, Arthur?” Fluttershy said, making the undead gunslinger chuckle and nod while tipping his hat. “Wh-What happened to you?!”

“Long story, Twilight’s fault, right now we’re in need of your assistance with Princess Luna’s little volume problem,” Arthur replied and gestured towards said alicorn.

“Twilight Sparkle has spoken of the sweetness of thy voice!” Luna proclaimed. “We ask thou teachest us to speak as thou speaketh!”

“Okay…” Flutterhsy whimpered.

“SHALL OUR LESSONS BEGIN?!”

“Okay…”

“SHALL WE MIMIC THY VOICE?!”

“Okay…”

“HOW IS THIS?!”

“Perfect, lesson over!” Fluttershy said and tried to run back into her house. Twilight, however, closed the door before she could which ended up making Fluttershy run face first into the door.

“Oh brother…” Arthur facepalmed.

Twilight, with a deadpan face, turned to Luna. “A little quieter Princess.”

“HOW is this?” Luna asked as she lowered her voice’s volume

“Better, right Fluttershy? Twilight asked her friend, who only let out a nervous laugh.

“How about now?!” Luna asked Twilight and Flutershy, the former encouraging the alicorn to continue. “And how about now?” she asked without any trace of the Royal Speech in it.

Twilight beamed at the princess. “Yes! Well done!”

Luna smiled brightly as she charged up her horn and wrapped Fluttershy in a light blue aura and brought her over for a hug.

“I thank thee dear Fluttershy, our normal speaking voice will surely win us the hearts of thy fellow villagers!” Luna said, while continuously hugging Fluttershy.

“Well that that takes care of that, I suppose,” Arhur said.

“Fluttershy, you've got to hide us! Nightmare Moon’s here and-” Pinkie said as she and the foals walked up to the cottage to see Fluttershy still in Luna’s embrace. "Nightmare Moon put Fluttershy under a sleep spell so she can’t struggle or scream when she gobbles her up!” Pinkie yelled once again causing her and the foals to run away screaming.

“Damnit Pinkie…” Arthur grumbled.

“NAY CHILDREN WAIT! I mean, nay children wait,” Luna cried after them but they were already out of earshot, Luna then looked at the ground in sadness.

“Well that backfired in the worst way possible,” Arthur said, shaking his head.

“Guess it’s time for plan B,” Twilight said.

Arthur hoped that whatever else Twilight had planned for Princess Luna would allow her to be accepted by the ponies of Ponyville more easily, but seemed to be an easier task said than done. They first tried to introduce party games like tossing a stuffed spider at a web. After a couple of attempts, Luna managed to land on its target. Her actions caught the attention of the other ponies who began to no longer see her as the scary Nightmare Moon they all thought her to be.

The next activity was where she had to launch a pumpkin from a catapult and hit the targeted wooden plank on the other side. Luna had so much fun watching the display, she literally clapped her hands in amusement while bouncing a little.

“Ha ha! The fun has been doubled!” Luna proclaimed, earning cheers of praise from the other ponies.

“Why don’t you try bobbing for apples?” Applejack offered. “We got the best apples in Equestria here, Princess.”

“I ask that thou call us…me, Luna, fair Applejack,” Luna said with a happy smile and turned to the crowd. “Hear me villagers, all of you, call me Luna!”

“Well I’ll be,” Arthur hummed as he stood next to Twilight and Applejack. “Guess even the hardest of shells can be cracked if handled right.”

Arthur’s eye soon caught the sight of little Pipsqueak trying to bob for apples again but accidentally fell in the barrel. Luna was quick to act as she ran over to save Pipsqueak, only for Pinkie to show up with the foals at the worst timing possible. One look at Luna holding Pipsqueak over the apple barrel was all it took for them all to start panicking.

“Oh hell…”

“Nightmare Moon is gobbling Pipsqueak!” Pinkie shrieked and the foals screamed with her and Pip squirmed out of her grasp. “Everypony run!”

“Damn it to hell, Pinkie!” Arthur snapped. When he looked back to Luna, he saw that she was not happy in the slightest with what she was just accused of.

“They tricked me, they never did love me and they never will. Very well then. SINCE EVERYPONY CHOOSES TO FEAR US, AND DISHONOR US WITH THIS INSULTING CELEBRATION, WE DECREE THAT NIGHTMARE NIGHT SHALL BE CANCELLED FOREVER!!” Luna yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice and made her eyes glow white gaining the attention of nearly everypony in town before she stormed off.

Arthur frowned as he saw the depressed ponies hang their heads in sadness that Nightmare Night was now officially canceled. He was at a loss at what to do, he was starting to enjoy the festivities and liked being all spooky. It seems now the gunslinger’s first Nightmare Night was also to be his last. It also waned on his heart to see the foals more sadder than the rest since some of them were brought to tears.

“Shoot, we had everythin’ goin’ our way,” Applejack sighed. “Luna was happy, everypony in town was happy, now look at them.”

“It ain’t over yet,” Arthur said with conviction as he walked over to Twilight. “Twilight, undo the illusion. I’m gonna go have a word with Luna.”

Twilight paused for a moment before she lit her horn and enveloped Arthur in her magic. Once the spell was finished, the stallion was back to his original self. “What are you going to do, Arthur?” she asked him. “Should I come along?”

“Naw, I got this, you go and find a certain mare who don’t know how to keep her yap shut,” Arthur huffed as he adjusted his hat and walked after Luna.

Arthur soon tracked Luna down back to the Nightmare Moon statue as she sat on her knees. Arthur could tell that she had been crying a little, and Arhtur took off his hat as he slowly approached her and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Princess Luna?” Luna turned her head to see the gunslinger and her eyes widened a bit at his change in appearance. “This is what I look like without the rottin’ flesh and whatnot. You doin’ alright?”

Luna blinked out of her staring as she felt her cheeks tint a bit before turning her head away in sadness. “Leave me be Arthur Morgan,” she told him as her ears drooped and her eyes watered before she blinked it away.

“Look, I’m powerfully sorry that things didn’t go as planned,” Arthur said as he boldly sat down next to her. “Believe it or not, this whole shindig is the first I’ve ever been to.”

“Really?” Luna asked him, her brow furrowed at his statement. “I find that difficult to believe…”

“It’s true,” Arthur shrugged. “More so, if Celestia hadn’t told you yet, I also ain’t from around these parts. As in, I ain’t even from this world.” For the next half hour, Arthur explained in full detail who he was in his previous life and his last moments, how he ended up in this world as a pony stallion, and everything that had happened ever since he became sheriff. “I still don’t know much about the world I find myself in. Hell, I’m still gettin’ used to this here new body of mine. But I do know this, you can’t hold a grudge over somethin’ that ain’t worth keepin’ to yourself. It never ends well, and I should know, on account of my many experiences.”

Luna could only stare at the stallion before her. He’s just like me…

“You know, my son probably would’ve liked this night,” Arthur smiled a bit as he stared off into the night sky.

“You are a father?” Luna asked but Arthur lost his smile and shook his head as he looked down at his hat.

“Was a father,” Arthur said glumly. “It was years ago, I don’t talk about him much. His name was Issac and his mother Eliza. I met her when she worked as a waitress. When she got pregnant, she knew who I was and what my life was. I didn’t wanna promise nothing I couldn’t keep, but…I said I’d do right by them. Every few months I’d stop by for a few days. He was such a good kid…she was too, I guess. Just a kid, nineteen.” Arthur’s ears drooped as he frowned more.

“What happened?” Luna asked him as she clung to his words.

“I got there one day and…saw two graves outside and I knew right away. Turned out some bastards had come through, robbed them, and killed them both…all for ten dollars.” Luna gasped as Arthur continued his sad tale. “It hardened me…feeling that kind of pain.” He turned to Luna still frowning. “But I know now that you don’t get to live a bad life and have good things happen to you. An old friend told me that I’m probably too hard on myself, I’m not so sure no more.”

Luna reached out a hand towards Arthur, resting it on his arm. “Arthur, you are so much more than just your past…you can’t change it, but you can make your life better. For you and others in your life.”

“Even you?” Arthur asked. “I can tell that this Nightmare Night thing brings up some bad memories or somethin’, but you also can’t change what’s been done. I’m willin’ to bet that the ponies around here don’t truly see you as a monster. I mean, you sure ain’t lookin’ like a monster now, all I see is a beautiful woman who’s just misjudged by others.”

Luna’s cheeks burned at his words, but also her head ablaze in thoughts. He speaks wisely about me…And seeing all the dejected ponies after I just cancelled Nightmare Night. But do these ponies really not see me as a monster anymore? Before she could reply to Arthur’s words, she saw Twilight approach them.

“Princess Luna, I finally figured out why you’re having trouble being liked," Twilight said as she came running into the clearing.

“Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm,” Luna said glumly.

“No offence, Twilight, but you ain’t exactly helping,” Arthur agreed.

“Allow me to explain,” Twilight said as she told them her plan.

As Arthur waited within the brush for Twilight to return, Luna hid behind the statue and looked to Arthur and he gave her a thumbs up for encouragement. The foals of Ponyville soon came lining up in front of the statue of Nightmare Moon. Twilight managed to convince the Mayor and Luna to do the candy offering to Nightmare Moon. Pipsqueak was the last pony to place his treats in front of the statue.

“Goodbye Nightmare Night, forever,” Pip said sadly.

Arthur then nodded to Luna to use her magic and she nodded back as her horn glowed and her appearance began to change. Her physique grew more slender and taller than she once was, her fur blackened and looked svelte, her wingspan seemed to grow out a few feet along with her horn, and her mane and tail had a more mist like appearance to it. Standing behind the statue, much to Arthur’s surprise, was the mare he had heard so much about, Nightmare Moon.

“Sweet hellfire…” Arthur mumbled.

Luna opened her eyes to show that her pupils were more cat like and had a certain allure to them than usual. She then conjured her magic to let out a thunder clap, and created a mist that crept around the ponies.

“CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!! YOU WERE WISE TO BRING THIS CANDY TO ME, I AM PLEASED WITH YOUR OFFERING!! SO PLEASED, THAT I MAY JUST EAT IT INSTEAD OF EATING YOU!!” Nightmare Moon bellowed as she appeared in front of the pedestal.

All of the ponies screamed and ran away in fear as Luna returned to normal and spat out fake teeth she wore for her character.

“I’m not certain that did what you meant for it to do Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said hesitantly as Twilight and Arthur walked up next to her from their hiding spots.

“I agree, I thought we were supposed to prove that Luna wasn’t scary?” Arthur added.

“Just wait,” Twilight said with a smile.

“For what? For them to scream some more?” Luna sighed.

“Um, Princess Luna? I know there’s not gonna be anymore Nightmare Night, but do you suppose maybe you can maybe come back next year and scare us again anyway?” Pip asked as he lightly tugged on Luna’s dress.

“Child, art thou saying that thou likest me to scare you?” Luna asked.

“Didn’t see that comin’,” Arthur said.

“It’s really fun, scary, but fun,” Pip said with a smile.

“It is?” Luna asked, surprised.

“Yeah, Nightmare Night is my favorite night of the year!” Pip said. “I even got to hang out with Arthur and it was his first Nightmare Night as well!”

“Well then, we shall have to bring NIGHTMARE NIGHT BACK!” Luna said.

“Woah! You’re my favorite Princess ever!” Pip said as he hugged her leg, then ran off to tell the others.

“See? They really do like you Princess,” Twilight said.

“Can it be true?” Luna said.

“Told ya,” Arthur smirked.

“OH MOST WONDERFUL OF…I mean, oh most wonderful of nights," Luna said with a small smile as she giggled. She gave Arthur a hug and ran off towards the town square, where the games had resumed for the night.

After Luna had had her fun with the residents of Ponyville, she eventually returned to Canterlot with a happy smile and made sure to say goodbye to Arthur personally by hugging him again. The tired gunslinger later helped clean up the town a bit before returning to his campsite and took off his hat as he sat down on a log he positioned next to his tent. He pulled out his pack of matches, set a few fresh logs in the fire, and lit it for a nice late night glow. Arthur then took off his hat and set it aside as he looked up to the stars and hummed to himself as he smiled.

“Room for one more?”

Arthur looked back down to see Johanna walk up to him, wearing her usual formal attire and out of her costume. He also noticed that she had styled her hair a bit and was even wearing a little bit of makeup.

“Good evening, Johanna,” Arthur said as he scooted over to make room.

“Indeed it is, tonight was certainly a night to remember,” Johanna said as she sat next to Arthur.

“That was quite the getup you dressed yourself up in, tonight,” Arthur teased. “ Never took you as someone who liked to dress all silly like that.”

“Well lucky for you this night is the only night I ever allow myself to dress in such a way,” Johanna giggled and Arthur laughed at that.

Both she and Arthur looked up to the stars and soon found themselves leaning against each other. Arthur then reached into his satchel and pulled out a bottle of fine brandy and two glasses. Like the gentleman he is, he poured Johanna a glass before pouring his own and handed it to her.

“This is an interesting beverage, what is it?” Johanna wondered as he set the bottle aside.

“This here’s somethin’ called brandy, a hard drink that’s quite famous where I’m from,” Arthur said. “Careful now, it’s known to have a bit of a kick to it so be quick when you drink it.”

Johanna nodded and raised her glass along with Arthur. “To a successful Nightmare Night.”

“And to spending a nice night together,” Arthur added as they clinked their drinks and downed the liquor.

“Oh goodness!” Johanna yelped. “You weren’t kidding! It does have quite a kick!”

“Heh, told ya,” Arthur chuckled as he grabbed the bottle again. “Want some more?”

“Hmm, why not?” Johanna nodded and held up her glass for Arthur to pour.

“It sure is a nice night out tonight,” Arthur said as he poured more brandy.

“Indeed it is, I always found that Princess Luna’s moon shines more bright than it does on regular nights,” Johanna said as Arthur poured his own drink. “What about you? Do you enjoy the night Arthur?”

“Sometimes,” Arthur shrugged. “It’s just back where I’m from, I always had to sleep with one eye open on account of my outlaw lifestyle. You never knew whether someone would sneak up on you while you slept or if a predator would pounce on you when you least expect it. But, there were times when my old gang and I would just stop for a moment during the night and just stargaze.”

“Do you miss your old gang?” Johanna wondered.

“We had our moments, some were more tolerable than others, but we were a family in a way,” Arthur sighed as took another drink and he looked up to the sky. “It’s just a shame that it all fell apart when it felt like we were so close to gettin’ what we wanted. So many of them lost their lives too soon, a real damn shame indeed.”

Johanna gazed at Arthur as the cool late night breeze blew against the two ponies. She smiled pityingly at Arthur and set her drink aside and placed her hand on his. “I’m sorry you had gone through such hard endeavors in your past life, Arthur. I can only hope those who perished had found peace from the life that they chose as you have.”

“You think they’re all at peace?” Arthur asked, turning to her and she nodded. “Even…even John?”

“Especially John,” Johanna nodded as she slowly reached up and took off her glasses, her eyes glistened in the light of the fire. “You have already done so much for our little town in the short period of time of you being our sheriff, I can only begin to thank whatever brought you here. Everypony is in higher spirits, and you even managed to help prevent Nightmare Night from being canceled.” Joahanna scooted more into Arthur as he too leaned in a bit more towards her.

“I was just doing my job,” Arthur whispered as their heads inched closer.

“Yes, and sometimes,” Johanna said slowly as her eyes started to close. “That’s all Ponyville and I could ever ask for…”

Inch by inch, their heads drew nearer as their lips parted. Arthur closed his eyes, as did Johanna, until finally their lips met as the fire flickers in front of them. For Johanna, it was like a string of fireworks had erupted within her heart and mind as she kissed the gunslinger. What she had been feeling for Arthur was confirmed after all once their lips had met. She fell for him, more than any other stallion she’d seen and she was not regretting a single second at this very moment. She had always wanted to find a strapping stallion to whisk her off her hooves like in the novels she’d read to herself from time to time. Arthur, however, this was nothing like what she expected and honestly, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Arthur’s mind felt calm as he kissed the mayor. Of all things to happen, he never would’ve guessed he’d spend an evening with another woman, a pony mare for that matter, and share a drink with her. Johanna was a beautiful woman in her own right yet she never really acknowledged it. Arthur was hesitant in kissing Johanna for a moment, but as soon as their lips met, it was as if all his second guessing melted away. He had not felt this way for another woman since Mary, the woman he almost left his own gang for, yet here he was sharing a gentle kiss with someone else.

As soon as the kiss began, it ended when the two separated and opened their eyes. Johanna’s cheeks were bright red as she gazed at the gunslinger with adoring affection which made her smile. Arthur smiled back as Johanna leaned her head on his shoulder and Arthur wrapped his arm around her. Neither pony said a word for the rest of the night until Joahnna had to return home. They both just sat there, gazing at the stars and bright moon above as the fire flickered and they enjoyed each other’s company.

Author's Note

A night to remember.

Side Note: Sorry this took longer than expected. I've recently come down with a cold and have been preoccupied with preparing for the new semester for school and work. However, I will be sure to be more productive in my writing.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building...