Author's Note

Trick Or Treat, what a night, here is special Nightmare Night.

Just a little something for the season of spooks, one small micro story to celebrate the festivities and for the poor Stallion to have just a little fun

A New Tale For Nightmare Night (Edited By PW)

Long ago, there was a prince who lived in comfort behind the walls of his castle in Canterlot. The prince spent his days bossing around his subjects and not caring for anyone in the world other than himself, as he grew lazy and crankier and his subjects grew hungrier and angrier.

One day, the subjects of Canterlot couldn't take their abuse anymore, and rising up, they stormed the castle and forced the prince into exile, where he would not oppress any pony anymore.

Alone, humiliated, and powerless, the prince ran into the wilderness, growing resentful of those who betrayed him and heartbroken to learn that he actually didn't have any real friends as a prince, only opportunities leeches seeking a comfortable life by pretending to be his allies.

In a rage, the prince seeks revenge on those who wronged him, only to be shocked when he discovers the actual condition his people lived in… and how those who betrayed him were worse than him when it came time to rule a nation, spreading through and utter misery and despair to everyone.

The prince tried to rile up his people for another hit on the state, but without friends, no power, and no real reason for anyone to listen, he learned what type of monster he was, and the idea alone was enough to make him want to puke.

Ashamed of himself and wiser from seeing the truth, the prince seeks help once more, this time from a darker and wicker source: the mare of the moon, who was more than familiar with the concept of betrayal and revenge and, although violent, had a point behind her actions.

Impressed by his resolve in revenge and finding in him much of her own, Nightmare Moon granted his wish and gave him part of her power so the prince could become her personal agent of terror and righteous executioner to all who seek to harm the innocent.

And thus the prince was gone, and Blood Moon was born! Nephew of the night, and spirit of vengeance and retribution, a title that he didn't waste time to demonstrate upon the wicket nobles before banishing into the night, reuniting with his aunt and waiting for the time when he will be needed again.

And so with each Nightmare Night, Blood Moon wanders aimlessly in the darkness as he hunts for those wicked ponies who break the law or naughty colts and fillies that run away from home, collecting them on his red mist and taking them to his aunt so they can both gobble them whole. So remember, kids, on this day of Nightmare Night, be a good kid and only wander off if you want to encounter Nightmare or her nephew, the Big Bad Stud!

Zecora finishes her story with a poof of smoke to add flare to the tale before turning to the royals. Luna applauds the show and looks at Blueblood. "So? What do you think, nephew? Do you like it?"

"It… a version of what happened to me… kind of," Blueblood answered, trying to use the right words before looking at her confused. "Eating ponies whole?"

"Yeah, I know. I was also confused by that part, but the story needed a scary twist to work."

"Work for what?"

"For scaring little colts, of course," Zecora answered, approaching the two. "No Nightmare Night Celebration is complete without the telling of the story and the offer of candy to save one life. For years, ever since the banishment of Nightmare Moon, this tradition has been one of the most old and beloved of the night. It gives the children a good story to get a fright and marks the end of the beloved night."

"And this year, not only will Nightmare Moon appear, but her nephew will be there too," Luna proclaims excitedly.

"Wait, wait, wait, you… want me to be part of the tradition of collecting candy?" Blueblood asks her in surprise.

"Just picture it, nephew, aunt, and nephew, creating a brand new tradition for Nightmare Night, teaching children to be nice and be good to others… and, of course, enjoying some delicious candies at night. Doesn't that sound like fun?" She tells him with a big smile.

"It sounds like I'm trying to self-insert myself on a legend," Blueblood replied. "Auntie, I'm moved, really, but this is your night, your event. Your special day, when I became Blood Moon for the first time, I wanted to show the kingdom how you can always turn things around no…" Blueblood flares his hooves around. "...whatever this is."

"You don't want to spend Nightmare Night with me?" Luna replies with a hurtful tune.

"No! No, that is not what I mean!" Blueblood didn't waste time rushing toward Princess Luna. "Of course, I would love to spend time with you and Aunt Celly, heck this is gonna be my first Nightmare Night; it's just…"

"It's just what?" Luna asks, still sounding dejected.

"Putting aside the idea of reinventing the idea of Blood Moon… I'm not even sure I can be scary or may go overboard," Blueblood confesses with some heat on his cheeks.

The confession takes both mares off guard.

"That is, what concerns your mind? To be fake or to scare the colts too much?" Zecora ask.

"Yeah, I'm not my aunty; I don't know the first thing about being scary."

The tension in the room quickly evaporates once Blueblood hears Princess Luna and Zecora laughing loudly, to the point that tears start to stream from their eyes.

"What's so funny?" Blueblood asks the two.

"I apologize, nephew. We didn't mean to laugh; it is just," Luna has to clear her eyes before continuing. I did not know the first thing about being scary either; it came naturally to me."

Luna stood from her throne and approached the prince. "I'm sure it will come to you, dear nephew."

She held his chin up lovely. "You are my prized pupil, flesh and blood, and a skillful, quick learner. As I was able to sink into my role as Nightmare Moon, I have confidence you would do the same in your role as Blood Moon. You didn't inherit Celestia's acting skill after all."

Blueblood smiles, and they both share a small laugh as Luna lets go of his face. "Besides, the distraction could be just what we both need now," Luna speaks more somberly.

"I told you, auntie, I'm fine." Blueblood suddenly got defensive and backed away from her.

"Are you, nephew? Ever since your most recent victory, and being just two more tests away from reaching your goals, you have been anything but happy," Luna confronts him in a more severe tone before she softens her gaze.

"You have worked diligently in earning your wings, nephew. Nopony in Equestria knows that fact more than me and Tia. And I'm not saying you haven't stopped and rested because I know you have kept your promise, but resting your body and mind are two different things."

She pokes his head. "And it's clear you need a break from your quest and your worries."

"It's more than that," Blueblood confessed, looking away in shame. "Auntie, what happened to Aunt Celly? What I did at Sharp Shooter hide I…"

Luna silences him and brings him into a hug. "You don't need to tell me. I know how hard it was for you, but it is in the past. I'm not telling you to pretend it didn't happen. I'm asking you not to let that event control your life."

"How can I do that?" Blueblood asks with tears in his eyes.

Luna breaks the hug and clears his eyes. "By spending time with your cool aunt and allowing yourself some fun! The world can wait. I want to give you this small moment in time, nephew. Please don't waste this opportunity. Allow me to take your mind away from your troubles."

"I'm still unsure I can get my head in the game, auntie. Do you think I can rise for the role?"

"But of course, and not that is relevant, but I heard four lovely mares are looking forward to seeing you in their most dazzling costumes." Luna casually drops, looking away with a big grin as she obtains the expected reaction, with Blueblood's eyes widening in surprise.

"So would this be like a global ordeal where we go to all cities to scare everyone? And do you need me to be the scary silent type or more of a bombastic, over-the-top villain?" Blueblood asked, having been sold on the idea.

The answer earned another round of laughs from Zecore and Luna: "We can discuss the finer points later; first of all, we need to work on your speech and presentation. Lesson one: the fog is our friend."

After that, Luna and Zecora spend the day teaching Blueblood about their plans and how it will be the prince's introduction to his very first Nightmare Night.

Weeks later, at the afternoon of Nightmare Night,

Once Celestia finished her early court, she didn’t waste time in dashing to her room and getting ready for her trip to Ponyville, where she fully intended to join her sister in the festivities.

She was halfway done putting on her ice dress when a knock on the door alerted him, followed by his nephew's voice coming from the other side.

"Auntie, do you have a moment?"

"But of course, dear, come in," Celestia calls and uses her magic to open the door before resuming putting on her costume.

"Thank you, auntie, I could use some advice… what are you wearing?" Blueblood asked once he marched in and saw how his aunt was putting on a celest and white with snowflake sequins on it, a puffy long boa over her neck, white gloves, and some light celeste eyeshadow and lipstick, as well as a white crown that looked like yet another snowflake.

"My ice queen costume, of course. What do you think?" Celestia poses in front of him, lifting a hoof. "I was against the puff ends at the gloves, but it blends with the rest, don't you think?"

"Yeah… and that is kind of scary, how well it looks for the mare of the SUN," Blueblood points out.

"Oh, come on, Blueblood. The idea of this night is to be somepony else and have fun," Celestia argues as she goes to her vanity mirror to retouch a little of her makeup. "Plus, I must say that I can fit the role pretty easily," Celestia tells herself, admiring herself in the mirror with her blue horn that now seems made of ice.

"White fur, I'm already a ruler, and let's be honest here, nephew, look me in the eyes and tell me my mane does not resemble an aurora borealis."

"Okay, I admit you got me there," Blueblood admits with a roll of his eyes.

"Anyway, you were saying something about needing advice?" Celestia asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, the truth is, I'm kind of nervous for tonight, aunty; today is my big entrance, speak, and I… I'm afraid I may ruin the night for everypony else, especially Aunt Luna."

"Come on, Blueblood, don't say that," Celestia approaches him. "It's okay to be scared and nervous for your first time at anything. But before you start to worry, please answer these questions. Who was the stallion brave enough to venture into the den of a criminal trice his size and manage to send him flying?"

"It was me," Blueblood replied.

"Who was the stallion that, after one heartbreaking defeat against a cheater, dusted himself up, created new magic, and bested his foes in a rematch?"

"I did that." Getting more confidence.

"And who is the brave stallion that, against all odds, keeps rising triumphantly against stronger and stronger foes whenever they appear?"

"I am!" Blueblood proclaims in enthusiasm.

"That's right; you are Prince Blueblood, confident, brave, strong, and kind. You have gone to hell and back and become a beacon of hope and determination; you have faced off against the scariest of foes before. And I guarantee you would rise to this one like all other challenges before."

"Yeah!"

"Now go, my sweet little nephew, to my sister and make this Nightmare Night a night to remember!"

"I will do that!" Blueblood tells before rushing out of Celestia's room. Only to rush back inside and give Celestia a big, strong hug.

"Thank you so much, auntie; I needed that."

"Anytime, nephew," Celestia returns the gesture momentarily before Blueblood leaves the room for good, leaving the princess to chuckle.

Oh, it's so sweet how much he reminds me of Luna. All it took was a little bit of an ego boost.

After running for a while, Blueblood reached the balcony where Luna was waiting for you, wearing a black cloak and next to a chariot pulled by two bat ponies.

"Ah, nephew, there you are." Luna acknowledges his arrival and passes him another cloak for him to wear. "Why were you running? You are just in time, and there is no need to rush. The sun hasn't even set yet," Luna mentions, pointing at the horizon of the setting sun.

"Sorry… aunty… got… a bit excited," Blueblood replies in between paintings as he puts the hood on.

"That's okay; I'm excited, too," Luna says. Luna helps him put the hood over his head. "I can barely wait for when Tia and I show you all there is for Nightmare Night. Once we are done with our performance, we can put on other costumes! Oh, you are going to be surprised with what I pick."

"Wait, so we are not gonna be just Blood and Nightmare Moon?" Blueblood asks in surprise.

"Well, if you prefer, you can remain as just Blood Moon, but tonight the night is young! And the possibilities are endless, so there is no harm in having a little fun. Do you remember the summoning spell I taught you?"

"Yeah?"

"Then there you go! Anticipating this event, I place stallion costumes there, too, in case you wish to try other options for the night; it's all about the fun!" Luna mentions excitement.

"Okay, now I'm starting to know why you love this day so much, auntie."

"And this is just the tip of the iceberg, nephew; wait until you see the games." Luna steps inside the carriage, followed by Blueblood as she says that, and the chariot lifts off.

"Prepare yourself, Ponyville! Because tonight the mare of the moon brings a guest! And with it, the flights would be doubled!" Luna announces to the four winds as they fly away.