With the festivities in full swing, Princess Celestia, in her ice queen costume, enjoyed the night chatting with everyone or taking pictures with other ponies dressed up. She found a particularly amusing moment when someone asked her and three other mares to pose as the four seasons in nature.

She makes sure to ask for a copy of that picture later on before continuing to explore the town and its games.

"So even when disguised, you can't help but still be a ruler, dear sister?" Luna questions with a smirk as she approaches Celestia.

The monarch of the sun was surprised by the question before smirking as she took a good look at Luna.

"You are one to talk, Luna, or is the fire queen now?" Celestia asks while admiring Luna. She is wearing an elegant long black dress with a semi-transparent cloak with a red sequence on it underneath a prestigious golden armor chest and crown that resembles a flame. Luna did some work on her mane so they resembled smoke and flames, and she put some red makeup and even flame paint on her face to complete the effect.

"You are not the only one who can pull an ironic costume, dear sister."

Celestia can only roll her eyes and chuckle. "Whatever you say, dear sister, how was Blueblood in his big debut?"

"Simply flawless, dear sister; our nephew had a natural flare for this; you could say he is more accustomed to being Blood Moon."

"Oh, Luna, by any chance, this night was also a way for you to place the idea of preferring his dusk form in Blueblood?" Celestia questioned with a slight smirk.

"I have no idea what you mean, dear sister." Luna fakes ignorance as she looks away. "I'm just saying that he picked my form first, and there is a celebration behind it."

"And mine would always be remembered to inspire generations to come."

Luna growls, making Celestia chuckle.

"Oh, relax, Luna, I'm just jesting. You know he loves us both, even if mine is better."

"It's not."

"It is."

Celestia shook her head before they could break into an argument. "Let's not sidetrack and enjoy the night, shall we?"

"Agree; there are so many games I want to play alone and with you, and I still need to decide which one to show Blueblood first."

"Speaking of which, where is he?" Celestia asks, looking around.

"He told me he needed more time to decide what to dress up and would meet us here. He is probably on his way as we speak."

"Princesses." The voice of Rarity catches both royal's attention as they look to the crown, where Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy appear.

Rarity captured more attention with her dazzling red and blue dress with diamonds on it, sparkling in the moonlight. She also wore a diamond tiara with diamond paint on the left side of her face, completing her look at the poker card of the queen of diamonds.

Applejack was the more subtle composition of a blue dress; her hear comb in two ponytails with a white shirt and a basket was Whinona, poking her head. AJ was also wearing red sparkling slippers, and finally, Fluttershy was the simplest of all, wearing just a red hood and a basket with a blanket on it.

"So glad you could make it, and may I say your costumes are divine!" Rarity doesn't waste time complimenting their ice and fire costumes, admiring their craftsmanship.

"Thank you, Rarity, yours look beautiful too," Celestia complimented.

"And I'm kind of surprised; I was under the impression that you would be against the idea of dresses, and you didn't exactly enjoy the night, Fluttershy," Luna commented, looking at both mares.

"I'm not exactly against wearing a dress, your highness," AJ explains. "I just don't like wearing them outside special occasions or parties; they all get in the way when you work at the farm," Applejack replied.

"And I'm trying to be a bit more assertive and try to join in on the fun too," Fluttershy comments, raising her head and surprising Luna when she notices how her costume was more elaborate than she initially thought. The shy pegasus wasn't dressed as a red riding hood but a vampire with her fangs and a darker pink mane. She was also wearing a gray vest and pink shirt that, combined with the hood, made her look like some noble vampire.

"I see. Well, I'm glad all of you will be joining us tonight; the more, the merrier," Luna smiles and happily nods.

"Indeed," Rarity also nods. "Say, have you seen Blueblood? I've been simply dying! To show my latest work," Rarity says with excitement, earning a chuckle from the princesses.

"He is on his way, so don't worry. Just need a couple more minutes to think of a costume."

At that moment, they heard a drum roll. Looking ahead, the group saw a costume contest, with Rainbow Dash, the host of all ponies, wearing her usual Shadowbolts costume.

"And the runner-ups for the coolest, most awesome costume for Nightmare Night after mine, of course. Are Optimus Stud and Giorno." Rainbow announce. Pointing at both ponies, one wearing a detailed costume of Optimus Prime, the other wearing a golden suit with a heart and a comb of hair resembling three kinds of ravioli.

"Let settle this with a good old-fashioned round of applause! Stallions make an entrance and let the audience decide!" Rainbow suggests as Optimus goes first.

"Autocolts! Roll out!" The pony calls and fakes the sound to impress the public by changing into a tractor.

"Hmph! Is that the best you can do? Hide it as a vehicle while you call your minions. Allow me to show you how to make an entrance."

Giorno calls out as he steps forward and stands on two legs. "All touch becomes gold; you will soon learn the power of my gold experience!" He poses like he is ripping part of his shirt as a ghost gold creature appears next to him, and he stares at the public, who goes wild.

Even Rainbow seems impressed, stomping the ground. "Well, I say that is impressive. Sorry, dude, but he clearly knows how to make an entrance. Better luck next time." Rainbow pats the runner-up and picks a trophy. "Looks like it's decided then. The winner is…"

Everyone stopped when they heard something in the distance, followed by a chuckle echoing everywhere as the lights were turned off.

"What the…" Rainbow looks everywhere as the laughter increases until a spotlight turns up and points at the rooftop, trying to follow a shadow who is using a grappling hook to jump from rooftop to rooftop.

"Is that… Mare Do Well?" Rainbow questioned herself until the figure spoke up.

"Citizens of Ponyville, do not bother hiding your hearts; the phantom thief will always find their targets; get ready to face the Joker!"

Blueblood spoke up, wholly immersed in character, as he posed with a strange, long specter and wore a top hat to the audience.

The prince was wearing a long domino mark with black liners on the eyes, a black wig, a black trenchcoat, a gray vest, and two red globes for his frontal hooves.

Everyone remains quiet as the lights remain, and Blueblood steps into the scenario, making everyone cheer and give him a huge round of applause.

"I… have no words that IS an entrance." Rainbow Dash can only shake her head and offer the trophy to Blueblood, who simply shakes his head.

"Please, give it to him. I may be a thief, but neither he nor this trophy are my targets." Blueblood continued before jumping off the stage and heading to his aunts once he spotted them.

"Ta-Da!" What do you think, aunties?" Blueblood asks, extending his front hooves. "Too much? I hope I didn't go overboard; I love your costume, Aunt Luna. Didn't know you and Aunt Celly were going for an ironic costumes match this year."

"We weren't," They replied at the same time.

"This was just a coincidence," Celestia clarified. "And to answer, no, your costume looks fantastic, dear. Is that an elegant thief get up?"

"Sort of, yeah, a phantom thief. A hero who fights for what is right and punishes those with rotten hearts. It's a long story, but that's the short version."

"And it seems you have a speech ready to go with it, too," AJ chuckles as she glances Blueblood over. "It really suits you, partner. It's pretty slick."

"Thanks, AJ. Your costume is pretty as well," Blueblood admits awkwardly as they share a slight blush.

"And what do you think of mine, darling?" Rarity asked, fishing for a compliment as she posed in front of him.

"What else can I say that they haven't told you a million times, Rarity? You are the very definition of a sparking and magnificent queen of diamonds with beauty in and out radiating everywhere. And your costume is incredible, too."

That hit hard on Rarity as she can't stop giggling like a school filly. "Oh, you…" She needs a second but gets the idea of a hidden two-part compliment, making her blush and have another fit of giggling. "My, my, Joker, you are good with words."

"Just show my lady the manners she deserves." Blueblood keeps on the act as he grabs her frontal hooves and plants a small kiss on them, making Rarity giggle uncontrollably as she steps back a couple of steps in embarrassment and happiness.

The princesses share a knowing smile as Blueblood goes for the final mare.

"And, of course, the bravest of them all, Fluttershy. You do not know how happy I am to see you here."

"I… I wanted to try something and fight my initial fears," Fluttershy confesses.

"If you ever feel afraid, know that I'm always here for you; it will be like in the mascarade, Fluttershy; remember Angel conducting your animals?"

Fluttershy can't help but smile and nod. "Thank you, I will remember it."

With all three mares blushing and in bliss, Blueblood walks toward Luna.

"And I must thank you too, auntie."

"Whatever for, nephew?" Luna asks, faking surprise.

"For getting me out of the castle, you were right; it has been some time since I gave a chance to breathe. I needed a break from everything and to remember to have fun. I don't know what will happen tomorrow and don't want to think about it right now."

He brings the two princesses into a hug. "Right now, I only want to spend the night with all of you and have fun."

"As do we, nephew. I'm so glad to see you happy." Celestia and Luna return the hug, and the three share a moment until Pinkie calls for their attention.

"Joker!"

Blueblood was surprised as he ended the hug in time to see Pinkie running and stopping in front of him wearing a cat costume, a black cat that seemed to be wearing a cat mask on top of her head, a yellow scarf, and a utility belt.

"There you are, Joker! Let's go! We need to go into our next assignment!" Pinkie proclaims, immersed in her own character. This only seems to surprise Blueblood even more, as she seems to be wearing something from the same universe.

Deciding to ignore that, the prince only laughs and nods, "Tell us the intel, Morgana!" He plays along, and Pinkie explains their plan of action for enjoying the rest of the night in peace.

When the time came to call it a night, everyone said their respective goodbyes, with Blueblood offering to accompany the mares to their homes, with Rarity being the last one, as she wanted a moment to talk while taking a walk in the park.

"Tonight was incredible, darling," Rarity mentions, still in bliss as she leans on Blueblood's shoulder.

"It was. There was so much for me to experience: the games, the costumes, and even practicing how to scare kids. I hope to do the same next year."

Rarity giggles and sighs. "I would look forward to seeing what dazzling costume you choose."

"As would I, even if knowing you. I bet you already have something in mind."

"Maybe?" Rarity jokes before taking a deep breath. "Blueblood… how are you feeling?"

"I'm not going to lie. Part of me is still nervous. My enemies are still out there, and what they say still haunts my dreams," he confesses, looking at Rarity.

"I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt because of me."

"Darling, we told you before, we can defend ourselves."

"I know you can, but I can't help getting worried, Rarity. I understand what it feels to be in love, and I wish for this to be the time."

"I know, darling, it's still too soon." They stop, and Rarity holds his front hooves with her own. Around the two, other couples share a moment alone.

"Say, darling, do you know about one last tradition of Nightmare Night? One reserve for couples only."

"I think we both know, I don't," Blueblood chuckles.

"Well, allow me to teach you. During Nightmare Night, right at midnight, couples enjoy sharing one last treat before ending the night. It goes something like this: First, you need to close your eyes, could you?"

The prince doesn't respond and closes his eyes.

"Good. Then you wait for the bell's toll, which will happen any moment now; once you hear it, you can open your eyes again."

Rarity let go of Blueblood's hooves and applied some lipstick in anticipation until midnight arrived, and Blueblood received quite the surprise from Rarity as their lips parted ways moments later.

"Happy Nightmare Night, dear; I hope you enjoy my last trick and treat. Even if we can't be, we can still have this little moment." Rarity smiles and winks at him. "And don't worry, we know we can wait, and it is almost over. And when that happens, we can figure out a way to talk to our friends together."

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

Rarity giggles, and they share a hug. "With words or with actions?"

They keep laughing and resume their stroll, ignoring how Twilight, looking for Blueblood, stumbles into a scene that scares her to the bones.

"B-b-blueblood, and… Rarity… no, no, no, no!" Twilight mumbles to herself, starting to get into a crisis as she backs away slowly before running away.

Author's Note

Even if late, happy Nightmare Night everyone, hope you all had fun