"Ugh, I can't get it to fit! I'm too fat." said Scootaloo, trying her hardest to suck in her gut as Dusk tried to pull on the zipper at the back of her costume. The orange filly had decided to go as a werewolf for Nightmare Night and had asked Dusk to help her with the dress. When the Unicorn asked why she didn't ask her parents to help her instead, she was quick to evade the topic.

"You're nowhere near fat. If anything, you look malnourished. Who exactly feeds you?" Dusk asked as he struggled with the zip. He contemplated using magic, but he didn't want to catch the filly's skin in it. "Ugh! Was this washed by any chance? Because either you've gone up a size within a matter of hours, or this thing's gone down one." he groaned. Scootaloo whined before letting her breath out all at once, gasping for fresh air.

"I don't see any way around it. The only alternative I can see at this point is going to Rarity's but it's highly likely she's dealing with Sweetie Belle's costume. Only other way is if you let me try a spell I've not used since... ever." he said. Scootaloo looked at her second idol for any hint of uncertainty, but the Unicorn was as difficult to red as a Prench Encyclopaedia.

"What will the spell do?" She asked, looking worried.

"Theoretically, it should alter the size of any object any which way I see fit. So as far as I can tell, it's tight around the upper torso. Anywhere else you'd like me to loosen?" he asked.

Scootaloo considered his question carefully. She knew that the upper torso was really the only unmanageable area that she was comfortable talking about, but then again, this was Dusk. "It rides in the crotch area. Maybe make that a bit loose?" she asked. Dusk nodded, looking Scootaloo over.

"Alright. Stand still... I need to picture this if I'm gonna get it right." he said. As Scootaloo remained frozen in place, she watched as the air around Dusk began to stir, the darkened robes he'd been wearing as his costume having begun to sway every which way. Within a matter of seconds, she began to feel her costume loosening up in certain places, namely the crotch and chest.

"It worked!" she said aloud. Dusk let the spell fall and he opened his eyes.

Upon closer inspection, he deemed the costume to be good to go. Turning Scootaloo around, the zipper made it all the way to the top without incident. "There, how's that feel?" he asked, patting Scootaloo's hips and letting her get a feel for the costume. The filly in question paced around in a circle a couple of times before stopping and smiling up at Dusk.

"It's great. Thanks Dusk, you're the best!" she said, running over to hug him. This was not the first time she'd hugged Dusk. Quite frankly, the Unicorn found himself hugging the filly more than anypony else in his life. It made Dusk wonder just what was going on at home that she had to get such intimacy from ponies outside her immediate family. Nevertheless, Dusk didn't mind. He was fond of Scootaloo. She was a good girl who kept her nose clean as best she could. He felt honoured to be put up there with Rainbow Dash as one of her idols.

Ponyville's streets were bustling with activity as colts, fillies, Stallions and Mares dressed as varying creatures patrolled the houses, knocking on doors. The town's fountain had somehow been dyed red, making it look like blood. Anypony who drank it found that it was punch. Activities were set up such as the bobbing for apples trough and the school yard had been set up for the spider throwing competition. Pinkie Pie and Rarity had outdone themselves with the decorations. The two mares looked beautiful. Pinkie Pie had taken Dusk's advice and had let her mane and tail grow long. She'd even drenched herself in fake blood. Please, let it be fake!

Rarity had gone for the gold, figuratively speaking. She'd done her mane up in a bun, letting the bangs fall forward unkempt. She'd chosen a scarlet open long dress that revealed most of her chest, save the goods. She was stunning. A bat hairpin rested on the front of the bun, and fangs were visible in her mouth.

Dusk himself wore black robes with a crimson inlay, the symbol of Starswirl on the back in silver. His wizard hat was like Trixie's only the brim was wider and blackened throughout, covering his face in darkness, his eyes the only thing that could be seen. "Ladies." he addressed the two whom had been enjoying a nice chat together.

"Wow, Dusk. You look super scary." said Pinkie, offering him the seat next to her. Dusk sat down and crossed one leg over the other. "Thanks Pinkie, you look particularly bloodthirsty yourself. And Rarity, ever the beauty, and forever young if those fangs are anything to go by." he commented.

"Oh, Dusk. You flatter me. Do go on." she said, blushing under her... blush. "Pinkie was just telling me about this arrangement you have with Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. Something about a polygamous relationship?" she commented.

Dusk took a second to register where she was going with this. "Ah, yes. I've been meaning to talk to you and Pinkie about that. See the deal is that I've grown very fond of all of you. Celestia, Luna, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and the two of you. I went to the Princesses for guidance on the matter and we came to an arrangement. If it was mutually agreed upon, the eight of us could enter into a polygamous relationship and they would agree not to be jealous of the others. So far, Both the Princesses and Applejack are okay with it. I haven't told Rainbow Dash about it yet, as far as she's concerned, we're still just friends with benefits. I was worried about how I would approach each of you about the subject. Especially Fluttershy and yourself, Rarity. I know such a relationship as the one I'm proposing isn't exactly ladylike, but It's completely impossible for me to choose between the seven of you. I love each of you equally." he said. Rarity took a moment to process all the information given to her. She didn't bother looking to Pinkie who seemed unphazed by the whole event.

"I understand your situation, Dusk And I'd be lying if I said I didn't find you attractive. Your attitude has certainly gone up since we first met. Realistically, you've grown into the ideal Stallion for me. And you're right, such a relationship isn't exactly ladylike. However, that being said, if both Princesses are for this relationship, then I suppose I can accept it as well. However, I would ask for a level of discretion. I don't care if you make your relationship with the others public, but I would ask that you keep my part of it secret, and make sure the others do too. If you can do that, then I will consent to the relationship." she replied.

Dusk smiled at the off-white unicorn. "Thank you Rarity. You truly are a one of a kind gem. To show you how grateful I am, I would like to take you to dinner at 'Le Cigare Volant' Tomorrow in Canterlot. My treat." he said. Rarity gasped and a smile appeared on her face, her eyes shining like gems.

"Le Cigare Volant? That's the most prestigious restaurant in Canterlot! They've been booked for years. How could you get reservations there of all places?" she asked.

"Strength and power are not the only pros to being Celestia's student. I'm labelled a VIP to them. Plus, I made reservations last week as a means to woo you into the relationship." he replied, giving her a sheepish grin.

Rarity giggled at him, placing her hand on his. "You're one of a kind yourself, my dear. I look forward to sampling the benefits of such a relationship." she said. Dusk took her hand and lifted it up to his lips to kiss it.

"Of course, my immortal mistress. This will also give you an opportunity to showcase your dresses to Canterlot's elite, expand your business." Dusk replied.

"Oh, yes, of course! If you'll excuse me, I must return home to decide which dress I shall wear for tomorrow. What time shall we be leaving for dinner?" she asked.

"Five. I've arranged for a carriage to fly us to Canterlot straight to the restaurant. It should take about an hour. I'll not spoil the entire evening, but I'll say this. I have a few things planned for after dinner that I believe you'll love." Rarity gasped, the concept of such an evening taking her breath away. She could barely wait for tomorrow.

"Till then, my darling." she said, racing off home as stylishly as she could.

"I can see it now; Dusk Shine dies after having spent all monetary assets. Will is half a page." he said, gesturing headlines with his hands. Pinkie giggled at him.

"Why didn't you tell her that I was already a part of the relationship?" she asked, leaning closer to the Unicorn.

Dusk reached a hand out to her cheek and brushed her mane back over her ear. "Because nopony knows about that day you nearly killed me. Which brings me to a very important question. Tell me that's fake blood you've rubbed on yourself." he said.

"Well... It's not pony blood, that's for sure." she replied.

"I'm afraid to ask."

"Fluttershy asked me to take care of her animals yesterday while she went out to the market. Angel was giving me the shits because I wouldn't do him a salad. So I grabbed another bunny and snapped its neck right in front of him. Since then, he hasn't been able to look at a carrot salad or that book without crying. It helps that he's the only animal Fluttershy can't understand." she concluded.

Dusk just stared at her, blinking every few seconds. "Seems I'll need to teach you to deal with stressful animals. That's not okay, Pinkie. You know how much Fluttershy loves animals. If she ever found out about that, she'd never forgive you." he said, lowering his voice for the sake of discretion. Pinkie sighed and nodded in agreement.

"I know. But at least that bunny didn't die in vain. He taught Angel a valuable life lesson about not getting everything you want, and he made a great addition to my psycho Pinkie costume." she said.

"I guess..."

As the night began to progress, the full moon revealed a silhouette of two ponies pulling a carriage in the sky. The inhabitants of Ponyville watched as the carriage approached them, moving left and right like a snake before lowering to a few feet above ground. Eventually, it touched grass and came to a slow and steady halt. One of the guards unstrapped himself from the carriage and went to open the door closest to the onlooking ponies.

Dusk and the others had approached the front of the crowd and waited for their guest to show themselves. A dark figure stepped out, clad in a cloak. Their eyes were white and there was obviously a horn and a pair of wings attached. Dusk knew already who it was, as did the foals who'd attended the class. Dusk pushed ahead of the crowd and took a knee before his Princess.

"Princess Luna, welcome to Ponyville." he said aloud for everypony to hear. The shadows gave way to the Alicorn and everypony could see her face clearly as she threw her hood back. Everypony else followed Dusk's lead and knelt before Princess Luna. The dark Alicorn examined her subjects before resting her eyes on Dusk. Her heart fluttered at having the chance to see him again. He looked more beautiful to her than before, dressed up in the darkened robes of Starswirl the Bearded. And his mane combed back as it was.

"We are pleased to see you once again, my love." Luna said, taking Dusk's chin and lifting it to face her. Some of the ponies grew confused looks at her words. Before any gossip could begin, she addressed them all. "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE, YOUR PRINCESS HAS ARRIVED!" her voice was amplified by her magic, the words reaching the farthest reaches of the town. There was a moment's silence before one of the ponies panicked and started a frenzy with three simple words.

"IT'S NIGHTMARE MOON!" Screams of fright ran throughout the town as they all scrambled to get out of sight of 'Nightmare Moon'. Dusk was the only one to remain. Even he expected the other girls to remain, but they too left with the crowd. He rose to his feet and looked at the empty town before him.

"Huh... perhaps scaring the foals earlier wasn't such a good move after all." he said to himself before turning to Princess Luna, whom had disappeared. Her guards remained where they were. "Which way?" he asked. They both Pointed directly ahead of them to Dusk's right. With a sigh, he made his way to follow her. Wherever she went, she was fast.

Princess Luna leaned against a small bridge overlooking a quaint little pond. The tears she shed caused ripples in the water below. She could see her reflection in the water, illuminated by the moonlight above. "I knew it. They still see me as that Nightmare. Nopony ever looks beyond the Nightmare." she spoke aloud, more to herself than any listeners.

"If you wanted to be seen as anypony other than Nightmare Moon, you picked a terrible night for it. Nightmare Night is a holiday in which fear is the theme. Ponies dress up in scary costumes and do their best to scare and prank others, going door to door for candy. If anything, Nightmare Night is the one night of the year where it's alright to be remembered as Nightmare Moon." said Dusk as he appeared in the reflection beside Luna.

"But how do you know that it's because of this holiday that they're afraid of me? How do you know they won't fear me tomorrow when it's all over?" she asked, not having looked away from the reflection of herself. Dusk placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her, making her look at him.

"Have faith in your little ponies. Show them that there's nothing to be afraid of. And if that doesn't work, then you have nothing to prove to them. You are their Princess, whether they like it or not. Besides, you'll always have me, until the day I die. You know that I love you, and so long as one pony loves you for who you are and accepts who you were, do you need all the others?" he asked. Luna let the tears flow as she took in his words. He was right. All she really needed was him.

"If only you were there a thousand years ago, my love." she said sweetly.

"If I were there a thousand years, ago, I'd only have two marefriends instead of seven." he teased, causing the night Princess to laugh. She gave him a light smack on the chest and pressed herself against him.

"Will you help me through the night?" she asked. Dusk said nothing. He simply nodded, kissed her and led her back to Ponyville to introduce her to the ponies he'd gotten to know over the past few months.

END

Author's Note

Happy Nightmare Night, everypony. Here's some eye candy.

And something for the ladies

Also, Dancing Luna works well with Mika's Popular song.