Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 31: Hoping to Fit in

The time: One week after the defeat of Hatetrol.

Rainbow Dash is at her house when a knock alerts her to the front door.  Opening it, she spots a familiar griffon.

R.Dash: Heya, Gilda.

Gilda: *hugs Rainbow Dash* Heya, Dash.  Thanks so much for freeing me from that vile monster.

R.Dash: Hatetrol or you under his influence?

Gilda: Both.

Both laugh as Tank crawls slowly to the front door to see what all the commotion was about.

Gilda: *blink* A turtle?

R.Dash: Tortoise, heh-heh, long story.

Gilda: *chuckle* And it probably ended with you saying, "Dear Princess Celestia, blah-blah-blah, your loyal subject, Rainbow Dash.", eh?

R.Dash: *chuckle* Yeah.

Both laugh as Tank smiles.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Gilda and Rainbow Dash are walking towards the town square.

Gilda: So, a lot changed with ya, eh? You're a Wonderbolt now, ya got a pet tortoise and ya READ?

R.Dash: Hey-hey, don't knock Daring-Do, it's a great series.

Gilda: Heh-heh, still got that edge to ya, Dash.

R.Dash: Of course!  I just use it to *Virtuna trots up* help my friends.  Heya, V.

Virtuna: Wassup, Dash?  Heya, Gilda.

Gilda: Heya.  Virtuna, right?

Virtuna: *nod* Yeah.

Gilda: Look, I'm sorry for.....

Virtuna: YOU don't need ta apologize - unless your name's Hatetrol, not Gilda.

Gilda: *laugh* Your Element of Harmony should be Forgiveness, not Empathy.

Both laugh and high-five, Rainbow Dash smiling widely.

Gilda: Ya know, V, you're pretty cool.

Virtuna: Daw, shucks!

A loud whoosh startles the trio as Pitstop soars overhead.  The azure mare landed by the griffon.

Gilda: Whoa!  If YOU were in OUR Junior Speedsters class, you'd pass with no question!

R.Dash: *laugh* This is Pitstop, she's my Wonderbolts flying partner.

Gilda: Real easy to see why, Dash, she's fast!

Pitstop: *chuckle* Aw, luv, ye flatter me.

R.Dash: She's REAL humble.

Gilda: I can see that, Dash.  She's far more mature-acting than half the ponies in flight camp.

Pitstop: *laugh* Oh, now you're just stackin' it.

Gilda: *chuckle* You're cool, too, Pitstop.

Pitstop: Daw!

Everypony laughs as Gilda looks at the trio interact.

Gilda: -Such good friends already. Seems as if everypony fits in almost instantly 'round here.  I wonder how I can fit in in this town?-

The next day, festivities for Nightmare Night were underway.  Fillies and colts dressed in costumes and ponies bought candy to give out.  It was a time for great festivity, but amidst all the revelry, Gilda still felt like an outsider.

Applejack: Heya, Gilda.  Why the long face?

Gilda: I just..... don't know if I can fit into all this.

Applejack: Now don't'cha worry yer head about it, sugarcube.  Zecora, Virtuna, Trixie, hey, even Nightmare Moon *Gilda winces* fit in once we got ta know 'em.  Everyone here's friendly enough fer ya ta find SOMEpony that'll get ta know ya'll - I mean, OTHER than Rainbow Dash, of course.

Gilda: I hope so, dude.  I just hope how I acted under Hatetrol's influence didn't alienate EVERYone in this town.

Applejack sighs sadly at the departing griffon.  After a while, Gilda finds a pony she bullied during one of her visits, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: Lessee, treats, check.  *flies up a bit*  Lights, *tests one, gasping when the whole strand lights up* check, *lands* looks like all's in..... *sees Gilda approach* Oh.

Gilda: Heya, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: H-h-hi.

Gilda: Gettin' ready for... Nightmare Night?

Fluttershy: Y-yeah.

Gilda: Sounds fun.

Fluttershy: It is..... if-you-like-being-scared.

Gilda: I dunno if Nightmare Moon would like having that tale told about her.

Fluttershy: She already said to Zecora she's fine with it.  She even said she'd have a special addition.

Gilda: Whatever THAT is, I'm sure it'll blend in good, eh?

Fluttershy: *nervous chuckle* Yeah.

Gilda: Well, good goin' with the decorations.

Fluttershy: Uh, th-th-thanks.....

Fluttershy zips off, leaving Gilda behind.  The griffon sighs a bit as she moves on, walking by several others she bullied.  Either they said nothing or they brought up how she used to be, both of which hurt.  Jalapeño blinked as Gilda walked by.

Jalapeño: Hola!  Senorita leonado?  Hola?  Aw..... (Hello!  Miss griffon? Hello?)

Gilda didn't stop walking until she walked onto school grounds.  Nearby, the CMCs were playing a triangle catch when Sweetie Belle made a particularly bad throw that sailed right over Apple Bloom's head.  The ball went right towards Gilda, the griffon stopping it with her tail.

A.Bloom: Sorry 'bout that, miss.

Gilda: No prob, dudes.

Scootaloo: Aw, what's wrong?

Gilda: I thought I could fit in here, but..... everypony seems to remember how I was when I was here before more.....

S.Belle: Oh?  How WERE you when you were here before?

Gilda: Do you REALLY wanna know?  *The CMCs nod*  OK.

Gilda sighs, then explains what happened during her visits to Ponyville.  The three fillies were shocked at how bad she acted due to Hatetrol's influence.

A.Bloom: Aw.....

S.Belle: Gosh.....

Scootaloo: Maaaaaaaaaaaan.........

Gilda: I know, NOT my proudest moments.

The CMCs huddle up, whispering amoung themselves.  After a while.....

CMCs: Cutie Mark Crusaders, YAY!

A three-way high-hoof later, the CMCs break the huddle and approach the now-curious Gilda.

A.Bloom: Step into our office.

Gilda: O..........K?

The quartet walked to the CMCs treehouse.  Later that night, festivities for Nightmare Night were in full swing, ponies admiring each others' costumes.  A pony dressed as Mare-Do-Well appraoches the pumpkin toss when it runs into ANOTHER pony dressed as Mare-Do-Well coming the other way.  Both ponies move aside their masks to reveal the pony on the right to be Twilight Sparkle, the one on the left.....

T.Sparkle: Rainbow Dash?!

R.Dash: *blush* Yeah.

T.Sparkle: What happened to Daring-Do?!

R.Dash: Sold out.

Both laugh it up as they mingle with the crowd.  A third pony dressed as a "Phantom of the Opera" shows up on the grounds near the apple-bobbing tank as Applejack fills it up with water and apples.  The farm pony spots the new arrival and smiles.

Applejack: Hey ya'll! Wanna give it a go?

The strange pony nods, trying her luck at pulling an apple out of the tub.  She succeeds a bit later, smiling.

Applejack: Nice goin'!

The new pony smiles, walking away with a few treats.  A bit later, it's time for the reading of Nightmare Moon's legend, Zecora appearing on the stage in a puff of smoke.

Zecora:

Follow me, and very soon

you'll hear the tale of Nightmare..... Moon?

Everypony gasped at the Mare in the Moon appeared right in front of the stage!

N.Moon: *chuckle* Aw, go ON!  It's Nightmare Night, right?

Mayor: Are you SURE you won't be offended?

N.Moon: Aw, Mayor, PLEASE!  I already told Zecora she's an amazing storyteller.  Besides, if having a holiday of the night in which ponies scare other ponies all in fun is good enough for Princess Luna, it SHOULD be good enough for me, right?

Everypony breathes a sigh of relief, then Zecora cleared her throat to get everypony's attention.

Zecora:

Listen, close, my little dears,

I'll tell you where you got your fears.

of Nightmare Night so dark and scary.....

*thunder crash, several ponies scream*

...of Nightmare Moon who makes you wary.

*whoosh!, more screaming*

Every year, we put on a disguise,

*the curtain behind Zecora seems to grow eyes, that look around evilly*

to save ourselves from her searching eyes.

*The eyes acquire an evil grin, which makes more ponies scream out*

But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing,

to gobble up ponies in one quick swing!

Hungrily, she soars the sky

*Nightmare Moon flies up, scanning the ground*

if she sees no pony, she passes by.

*Nightmare Moon acts as if she can't find anypony to "gobble up", flying on*

So if she comes and all is clear,

Equestria is safe another year!

But give candy you must, my little friends,

for Nightmare Moon no one offends.

Fill her belly with a treat or two,

*upon that Nightmare Moon seems to dive down at the crowd!*

so she won't return to come..... *"Nightmare Moon"'s mouth opens*  eat..... YOU!!!

"Nightmare Moon"'s open mouth slams into the ground first, the hologram disappearing on contact.  It was real enough to send ponies into a screaming frenzy, some even jetting off to the statue to make an early donation!  The shadowy form of the Mare in the Moon lands, making more ponies scream - but Virtuna squeal out in laughter!  Nightmare Moon looked at the little pony and blushes a bit.

Virtuna: Now THAT is how ya tell a story, eh?!

Everypony chuckles a bit, agreeing with Virtuna.  Everypony soon claps the story, Zecora and Nightmare Moon exchanging smiles.

N.Moon: *laugh* You using that green powder, nothing like the REAL thing, right?

Zecora: YEAH!

The two exchange a high-hoof.  Around town, fillies and colts bring in the candy.  Amoung the groups are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, dressed in their talent show costumes, and Gilda, dressed as a female version of the Fonz from "Happy Days."  Apple Bloom knocks on Twilight Sparkle's library door, Trixie opening it.

CMCs and Gilda: Nightmare Night, what a fright, give us something sweet to bite!

Trixie: *laugh* Cute costumes, guys!  And - WHOA!  The Great and Powerful Trixie thought Nightmare Night was for ponies only.

Gilda: *blush* *points to Apple Bloom* HER idea.

Trixie: Gotcha.  *gives them all a treat with her magic*  Have fun.

S.Belle: You, too, Trixie.

The quartet moves on as the "Phantom" pony walks by.  The showmare sends a treat her way, exchanging a smile.  The pony continues on, Trixie shrugging a bit.

Spike: Who is THAT?

Trixie: Trixie has no idea.....

The two keep an eye on the mysterious visitor until the next group of foals stops by.  Meanwhile, near the stage, Twilight Sparkle and Nightmare Moon discuss the story-telling.

T.Sparkle: I MUST say, Nightmare Moon, you sure added a sense of realism.

N.Moon: But of course!  A great story deserves great effects.

T.Sparkle: I must say, those WERE great effects.

???: WE CONCUR!

Both ponies look and smile, seeing Princess Luna trot up.

P.Luna: We have never seen the story of Nightmare Moon told with such... impact.

N.Moon: Just doin' my job.

All three laugh as the CMCs and Gilda walk by.  Princess Luna smiled at the quartet as they collect candy.

T.Sparkle: Heya, Gilda.  When'd'ya get back in?

Gilda: Just yesterday.  I just wanted to thank Rainbow for getting that monster outta me.  Going around collecting treats was their idea.

N.Moon: *chuckle* Cool.

P.Luna: That SHOULD do it, Gilda.

N.Moon: Don't worry, you'll fit in eventually, just look at me.  I'm fitting in just fine and I threw the princess into the sun and brought night-time everlasting - two things I doubt you could do.

Gilda and Nightmare Moon chuckle.

Gilda: Look, Moon, I'm sorry about that comment that.....

N.Moon: Forgot it already.  C'mon, candy offering's next.

Gilda nods, following the others as they head for Nightmare Moon's statue.  There, several foals were giving candy to the effigy of Nightmare Moon.  As Pinkie Pie was making her contribution, the sky darkened up almost to the point of blackout!

P.Pie: HEY!  Who-turned-off-the-moon?

When the sky relighted, the statue was gone!

P.Pie: EEK!  Where's-the-statue!?

The sky redarkened up as Pinkie Pie looked around for the statue.  When the clouds parted again, there on the podium, striking the same pose as the statue, smiling widely, was Nightmare Moon!

Virtuna: *laughs and runs around the podium*  You're gettin' inta this, aren't'cha?!

Everyone laughs as Nightmare Moon nods.  Gilda joined in, prompting Rainbow Dash to put a hoof around Gilda's shoulders.

Gilda: Dear Princess Celestia,

Sometimes, it's tough to fit in, especially with those you hurt before.  But once you find someone willing to listen, you can find friends you never knew you could have.

Your loyal subject,

Gilda

The "Phantom" pony heads behind a stand and vanishes from the grounds, reappearing..... in a cavern.  One spell later, the "pony" turns into..... Queen Chrysalis?!

Q.Chrysalis: Now I KNOW *sighs as she looks out at South Transforma* this can't happen again.....

The changeling sighs as she looks out at the fun the ponies were having.

Q.Chrysalis: Twilight, please, don't let it happen again.....

TO BE CONTINUED