The Nightmare Before Hearth's Warming Eve

The Necropalatan Zeppelin Port was a busy place during any time of year, not surprising considering its massive, hovering city was often described, and most appropriately, as 'Edeathstria's Beehive', and this wasn't just because it actually somewhat resembled a beehive. However, with a few new additions to Edeathstria's plate aside from 'prepare for Nightmare Night', such as the encouragement of another holiday actually being celebrated within it, that being Hearth's Warming Eve, the city, and therefore the zeppelin port was busier than ever, with six new arrivals completing the hustle and bustle of it.

"HELLLOOOOOOOO NECROPOLIS! WOOOOOOOO YEAH!" Pinkie Slice beamed merrily, wearing a 'I <3 Necropolis' shirt as her and her six life (or undead in Scarity and Twilight's case) companions practically skipped away from the port.

"Ooooh my! The city is just as horrible as I remembered!" Scarity oozed, her eyes twinkling as her transparent, ghostly form hovered a few feet above her friends. "So good to actually to be able to take in the sights this time, unlike during the Grand Galloping Gallows." She winced at that, giving a disgusted shiver. "Ugh, I can't believe I wasted my time lusting after Prince Blackblood of all ghouls during that- that event."

"Heh, well, he got what was coming to him," Rainbow Death chirped, hovering by her and holding out a certain black crossed shaped locket in front of her eyes, grinning wickedly. "Wanna say hi to him?"

Scarity gave a huff.

"Mph, I'm more than content with having him face his punishment alone," she grumbled, lifting her snout at the sight of the locket and folding her arms. "I mean really, we all may be horrible monsters, but at least we're a step above ruffian barbarians like him! I swear... Eldritch Abominations..."

"You say 'monsters' like it's a bad thing," Rainbow smirked, before letting the locket swing from her neck along with her five others.

"And not all Eldritch Abominations are bad," Twilight Soulshard smiled, half looking at her and half glancing about at the various pieces of scenery, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "Slendermare is alright, isn't he?"

A guilty look came upon Scarity's face at that. "Oh... I suppose that was a bit arrogant of me to throw them all into the same category, wasn't it? I would have gladly made Slendermare my Prince Wretched over that beast!" Her eyes began to twinkle once again. "I could have called him my own personal Splendormare! And the best part is, unlike Blackblood, he lets everyghoul else do the talking for him!"

Rainbow Death glanced away from her slightly, chuckling to herself.

"Speaking of Slendermare," Applemoon said, lifting an eyebrow. "Y'all hear he was summoned by Nightmare Moon here, too?"

"That's news to me," Twilight said, putting on a baffled glance as well. "You know, I wonder what Nightmare Moon wants with everyghoul?"

"Beats me, but it has to be important," Applemoon stated.

"Dr. Whoovenstein also got a summon," Flutterfright peeped, smiling slightly. "I was talking with Derpy-Stitched earlier."

Rainbow Death cackled slightly at that. "Oooooh man, Nightmare Moon and Dr. Whoovenstein in one palace!? I wonder how much crazy that building can handle?!"

"You can never have enough crazy, I always say!" Pinkie Slice giggled, bouncing atop the blood-soaked cobblestone, her metal-clawed gloves creating sparks upon every downward stroke of her hops. "Speaking of which, I wish my pen-pale would get back to me... I wanted to see if I could get her something for Hearth's Warming Scream!” She then simpered slightly. “I uh... don't really know what ponies on the other side would want..."

"It's Hearth's Warming Eve, Pinkie," Twilight said, smirking slightly. "And it doesn't matter what you get her, it's the thought that counts in the end!” Her smirk then turned into a smile. “I'm just glad the new interdimensional mailing system is working so nicely. It's nice to be able to keep in touch with our counterparts."

"Mph, personally... I think this whole gift exchange thing is a little dumb, though," Rainbow Death said, hiding a conniving look the Lich Queen's way. "I mean... we already give gifts to each other on Nightmare Night. Why do it again?"

Twilight seemed to be hiding a disappointed glance at that, before looking nobody's way in particular. "It's more for the principle of it. Edeathstria's new reforms include trying to start better cultural relations with the other holiday worlds. And what a better way to do it than by celebrating their holidays?"

"Heh, true," Applemoon said, before raising her eyebrows slightly. "But I just can't see Elven Ponies in the Yuletime World dressin' up as zombies and vampires on Nightmare Night. Think they'll actually do it?"

“I’m not sure… it’s possible the might not ‘return the favor’, so to speak,” Twilight said.

"Whelp, their loss if they don't!" Rainbow Death blurted out, grinning while still hovering above the ground with a multitude of mighty flaps from her massive, single black wing. "Though I gotta say, I like the decorations they have set up for the thing!"

Indeed, on every street corner there seemed to be at least one dead, needleless Yuletime tree, them trading their needles for a strange, glowing cobweb, and decked out with various ornaments such as hanging shrunken heads (that would scream at passerby's), oozing black gak, and bloody bones. To complete their spooky presence, a jack-o'-lantern topped each one of them, a number of ghostly orbs twirling about it.

"Mmmm, well... it's not exactly how the other side celebrates it from what I've read," Twilight chuckled. "But you know what? Close enough! At least it's a start! As long as we can get into the spirit of things, that's what matters!"

"I dunno though, Twi," Applemoon stated in an incredulous tone. "I like a lot of the fun stuff you've been pushing from the other side, pumpkin chunkin' definitely being one of em'," she grinned. "But... we're ghouls. Do you really think we can do the whole... heart warming thing?"

"Hey, our holidays happen to be quite similar in a few regards," Twilight smiled. "Hearth's Warming Eve, when you look at it, is a celebration of harmony initially brought upon by..." Her smile widened. "Fear, of all things."

The group's eyes widened as well, though Rainbow Death merely lowered an incredulous eyebrow.

"Wah? How was it brought upon by fear?"

"Well, I'm sure there's more to it than that, but that's part of the reason, isn't it?" Twilight continued. "Initially, the founders of Equestria were brought together out of not wishing to die alone."

"Nopony dies alone, Twilight," Rainbow Death stated, a somewhat hurt expression coming upon her.

Twilight blinked rapidly, an apologetic look coming on her face. "I meant... dying alone before reaching the Planes of Death and having the fastest reaper in Edeathstria escort them to the golden gates!"

"Oooooh you!" Rainbow Death giggled, swooping down next to her while twirling her scythe absent-mindedly. She then gave her an affectionate nuzzle. "You always know what to say to me!"

"It ain't that hard," Applemoon whispered to Flutterfright, who stifled a chuckle.

"You're quite welcome, Deathie," Twilight chirped merrily, returning the nuzzle, before continuing with, "But yeah, they may have found harmony through means other than fear, but that's one of the factors for keeping harmonious, isn't it? Fear of being turned into little ponysickles by the Windigo?"

"And their King..." Pinkie chimed in in a spooky tone, trotting next to Applemoon and grinning wickedly. "Black Frost... OVERLORD OF WINTER! Buahahahahahaha!"

Applemoon rolled her eyes. "Black Frost is just a superstition, Pinkie." She then smirked slightly, however, raising her eyebrows. "Though a pretty wicked one at that," she admitted. "Heh, you know, I'm actually surprised he's part of their holiday and not ours. Would have liked to meet the guy one day."

"Pfffft, as cool as Black Frost sounds, I still stand by my statement," Rainbow Death said indignantly, though still with a hint of a mischievous look thrown the Lich Queen's way. "The gift trading thing is silly!"

"Oh is it?" Twilight smirked, her horn glowing brightly for a brief second before a cobweb wrapped staff-like object appeared right in front of her. It continued to hover in front of her horn as she turned it away from Rainbow. "Guess this isn't for you, then..."

Rainbow Death's eyes widened. "W-Wah? Y-You got me a present?" she said in a genuinely heart-warmed tone.

"Maybe," the Lich Queen said, still smirking slightly as she glanced away from Rainbow. "Might have gotten it for someghoul else..."

"Well uh..." Rainbow said, a smirk of her own slowly etching onto her face as she pulled something out a travel bag, a rectangular shaped object hidden in cobwebs as well. "Maybe this will change your mind."

Twilight's smirk turned into a massive, bright warm smile. "Rainbow... you didn't!" she gasped, her eyes twinkling. "I can't believe you-"

"Tricked ya!" Deathie said, sticking her tongue out. "Ugh! Though now I don't wanna wait around to see what you think of it! Come on, let's just unwrap them now!"

Twilight raised her eyebrows. "Right here?"

"Right now!" Deathie grinned.

"Hmmmm.... alright," Twilight said, shrugging. "Let's stop into Rancid Joe's for a cup of rancid joe first, alright?"

“I’m definitely down,” Applemoon smiled.

“If you girls don’t mind,” Flutterfright eeped.

"Sounds like a plan to me!” Deathie beamed.

☼☼☼

Rancid Joe's was one of the best kept secrets in Edeathstria, at least in Twilight's opinion. It had been a beacon of darkness during the piercing, blinding light of studying for her for most of her life. While it may have only been a small, crappy-looking coffee shop, with very little for accommodations, it was at least a quiet, caffeine providing place for studying. However, she was glad to share the splendor of it with her friends at least.

"Oh my... this is the best black coffee I've ever had!" Pinkie bounced, slurping down a cup of the delicious substance as the Ghoul Six sat down at a small, secluded table.

"Hooo nelly, this isn't going to end with an explosion of energy," Applemoon muttered, glancing worriedly the pink, charred, dream demon's way.

"Mmmmm..." Rainbow Death oozed, sipping on her cup with a dreamy expression. "And this is why I like it black, just like my metal..." She then sighed, twirling the little straw about in it. "Seriously, without coffee I don't think I'd be able to reap more than about... eh, say two hundred souls in a day. It's to die for." She then winced slightly. "Oh god, I can't believe I just made that pun..."

Twilight glanced at her suspiciously. "You made it intentionally, didn't you?"

"Maybe…” Deathie said, grinning sheepishly.

“By maybe you mean… definitely?” Twilight said, smirking.

“Agh, night damnit!" Rainbow Death laughed, suddenly snuggling up to Twilight and kissing her on the cheek, the latter blushing fiercely. "Why do you have to be so good at getting into my head?!"

"And why do you two have to be so good at making me sick?" Pinkie groaned, her cheeks puffing out green.

"Well I think it's sweet to be honest," Scarity cooed, before glancing Applemoon's way. "That... is the word the other side uses for this sort of thing, right? I would call it wretched, but that just seems... odd."

"Mhmmm, I think so," Applemoon said, nodding, before grinning Rainbow Death's way… or more particularly, her scythe’s way. "But ya know, Rainbow... speakin' of reapin’ souls... how long ya been carrying around that ole' scythe for, anyway?"

"Huh?" she said, quirking her head slightly and waving the menacing looking instrument about. "Oh... I dunno. I've had it for years. When I graduated from reaping school they gave it to me, actually. I think it's just a standard model."

"Mmmm... that would explain its blandness," Scarity stated, bringing a hoof to her uncorporeal chin. "It’s not as intimidating as it could be..."

"Hey! It's plenty intimidating!" Rainbow pouted, folding her arms as her soulless black eyes narrowed. "That's what I love about this job. You know, ponies getting escorted by this fearsome figure, that being yours truly, to the golden gates, only for paradise to await them on the other side? I love seeing the looks on their faces when those babies open! Honestly, I can escort the saddest victim and still not feel too bad about them dying cus' of it." A somewhat self-conscious look then came upon her face, though. "But... do you guys really think I could do better?"

"Well, it's plenty scary," Flutterfright piped in. "But... I think Scarity's right. It could be a teensy bit better..."

"But I don't have the bits to afford a new one!" Rainbow complained, glancing slightly at the gift she had gotten for Twilight. "I sort of... ehehe... well... let's just say... I had bigger priorities."

Twilight smiled warmly at her, before scooching her own gift Rainbow's way. "Hmmmm, isn't that a shame... no way you're going to be able to a get a new one now..."

Rainbow's eyes suddenly widened in realization, a look of glee coming upon her none of the group had seen before. "You didn't..." she said slowly, a grin slowly etching across her face. "YOU DIDN'T!"

"Maybe... could just be a staff..." Twilight said whimsically, before inching her face closer to Death's. "Why don't you open it and find out, hmmmm?"

"OH HECK YEAH!"

At that, Rainbow giggled maniacally before ripping the cobweb off her gift, even bouncing slightly, only for her grin to twirl about into a disappointed frown when it was revealed what was under it.

"Oooh, uh..." Rainbow said, glancing down upon her gift.

It was a horrible looking staff, that was to be sure. A nasty looking skull was etched into it at every five inches or so, with a black bat sculpture topping it at the bottom. However, it wasn't a scythe...

"It's... it's pretty cool, I guess," she continued, sulking slightly.

"Oh... hmph," Twilight said, lifting an eyebrow. "The lack of a blade could be a problem...." A broad smile then came upon her. "Unless you know the magic words, of course..."

With that, to Rainbow's curious glance, she brought a hoof to the staff and muttered, "Educ metet."

A second, to Rainbow's shimmering eyes, a brilliant, jagged blade appeared out of thin air at the end of it opposite to the bat.

Death's jaw nearly dropped at it, her eyes watering ever so slightly. "OH. MY. GOSH! YOU DID!"

"Hahahahaha!" Twilight beamed, wrapping her arms around her soul mate in a hug. "Had you going there for a second, didn't I?!"

"Only made it all the sweeter!" Rainbow beamed, picking her new scythe with an awe-struck look upon her. "Is this- is this the Undead-Shredder 12000?!?!?!"

Pinkie suddenly lowered an eyebrow. "There's a joke in there somewhere..."

"Don't say it," Applemoon grumbled.

"Oh I'm saying it," Pinkie grinned

"Please... for the love of..."

"TOO BAD! IT'S HAPPENING!" Pinkie roared maniacally. "APPLEMOON, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT SCYTHE'S POWER LEVELS?!"

"It's..." Applemoon said, wincing slightly, before sighing forth, "Over nine thousand..."

"WHAT, NINE THOUSAND?!"

Applemoon face-clawed as Pinkie giggled maniacally.

"It is indeed over nine-thousand,” Twilight nodded. “And it's the best model I could find!"

Rainbow took a deep breath at that.

"I love you... like I love death, Twilight, seriously," she said, her eyes still watering. "This thing is... oh my... a retractable blade and everything!?"

"To prevent any unnecessary cuts or decapitations," Twilight smirked. "As wicked as that would be."

Rainbow shook her head in disbelief. "I-I honestly don't know what to say," she said breathlessly.

"No words are necessary," Twilight said warmly. "Just continue being the honorable evil-soul jailing grim reaper I love."

"ACK!" Pinkie interrupted with a groan. "Could you two be any more night damned sappy?"

"By that you mean could they be any more CUUUUUTEEEE?!" Scarity said, practically oozing her words out.

"Ugh... the only problem is my own gift is never going to compare," Rainbow grumbled, still with a slightly mischievous look upon her as she prodded it Twilight's way, who quickly unwrapped it with curious eyes.

"WOAH!" Twilight cried, her eyes wide as saucers as she glanced upon what she was given. "'Light in the Dark? Arcane Magic for Ghouls and Goblins?!' She then glanced towards Rainbow, her jaw literally hanging open. "How did you- how did you get this?! Twilight Sparkle said there weren't even any books like this!"

"Ehehehe... well, turns out she might have been wrong," Rainbow smiled. "I've been keeping touch with Rainbow Dash and your counterpart when I can, and it turns out she had that in her library all along! I bought it off her for a small favor, and her Spike managed to send it over somehow. She said she'd give it to me for free, but I insisted. Apparently it was written by somepony named Starswirl the Bearded after he fell in love with a ghoul-like creature. Said he wanted to teach more of them the ways of the light if he could."

"Oh my gosh, Rainbow! Thank you thank you thank you!.!.!" Twilight squealed. "You have no idea how much I've been wanting to learn a little Light Magic!"

Immediately, she opened the book to its front page, her eyes sparkling like a foal in a candy store's. Before she got too far, however, she stopped when she noticed a few words scribbled on it.

Dear Twilight Soulshard,

Thanks for an interesting Nightmare Night! Your kind really know how to show a bored student of magic an intriguing time. And if it means anything, despite what you may call yourself, you have more life in you than anypony I know.

- With love and respect,

Twilight Sparkle.

A warmer smile couldn't come to Soulshard's face.

"So, what was the favor?" Applemoon asked, looking Death’s way.

"She uh..." Rainbow Death said somewhat awkwardly. "She... wanted me to tell Applejack what lies on the other side of the golden gates... you know, to comfort her about her parents. I guess she didn't feel right doing it herself. I'm not sure if I felt right doing it, either... but I sent Applejack a letter. I also sent Twilight the bits I had at the time. They're made of gold, so I guess they'll take."

"That was very nice of you, Rainbow," Applemoon said warmly with a tip of her hat. "I'm sure my counterpart would appreciate it, just like I did."

"Heh... yeah..." Rainbow said, smiling slightly, though taking a deep breath. "But hoooo boy: I've been breaking so many reaping rules lately I'm surprised my boss hasn't magnifying glassed me yet..."

"Has she even chewed you out yet, though?" Applemoon said, lifting an eyebrow. "For all the crap you pulled on Nightmare Night, I thought she would have."

"Surprisingly, no," Rainbow said. "I guess she's as kind as they say she is. Our god is an awesome god indeed."

"Whelp, that's Faust for ya," Applemoon chuckled. "If that truly is her name."

"Eh, well, nobody knows much about the big gal," Rainbow shrugged. "I couldn't tell ya. She's as mysterious as I am.” She then put on a wicked grin. “Hehehe... I bet the other side doesn't even know that the actual grim reaper herself was there on Nightmare Night, save for Rainbow Dash and her friends. For all the rest know, I was just some regular ole ghoul with a scythe and a love for souls!"

"And a mighty big ego," Applemoon said, rolling her eyes. "Though I gotta ask, how'd you get another week off?"

"Heh, you're not going to believe this: but my counterpart was willing to cover for me!" Rainbow Death said in an almost incredulous tone. "She may not have my training or experience, but she's still got a need for speed! She'll be able to do it."

"A she was down for it?" Twilight said in disbelief, finally lifting her muzzle from out of her book. "Er, no offense Rainbow, but you remembered to fill in all the details about the temporary job, right? Like how she won't even remember her week at it... and the... uh... collateral."

"Of course I did!" Rainbow said, throwing her a slightly annoyed expression. "She was down for it, though, and I'm pretty sure she can take it. It's not like it's a totally depressing job..." She tilted her head slightly as she let loose a sorrowful sigh. "Well, I mean- it can be, but only during certain circumstances."

Twilight nodded, her bright mood becoming all the brighter. "Whelp, that's good. It'll give us more time for zombie hunting!" she smirked.

"Haha! I still can't believe you're down for doing that!” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “Isn't that against some necromancer code or something?"

Twilight shrugged slightly. "Codes are just codes... nothing more, really." However, at that, her eyes then caught something behind Rainbow, a panicked look suddenly striking her features. "But shoot, look what time it is!"

Rainbow perked her head towards the clock, her eyes widening as well. "Oh crap... we're going to be late for the gathering!"

"Oh nononono! I'm never late for anything!" Twilight cried. "I can't disappoint my teacher like that!"

"Easy, sourcube,” Applemoon said softly. “Just use your teleport thing to get us there lickidy-split."

"Yes! Good idea!" Twilight beamed, nodding frantically. "You're a life saver, Applemoon!"

"Heh, first time I've ever been called that," she smirked.

"Come on, no time to lose! If this meeting is that important, we cannot miss it for black coffee! As good as it is!"

"Right on, let's go then!" Rainbow Death grinned, her and the rest of Twilight's friends quickly gathering about the Lich Queen before they teleported away with a blink of purple light.

"Hey!" Rancid Joe growled from behind the countertop. "You never payed for-" He then gave a deep sigh, rolling his eyes. "Meh... screw it..."