Apples for Ebony 11: Attack of the Ravenous Princesses!
 
My misterebony
With special assistance by Stagemanager
 
 
"Nightmare Night! What a Fright! Give me something sweet to bite!"
 
The group of fillies sang at the door of the alchemy shop. It opened to reveal a path to a bowl of candy. All three in the group walked in as the door closed behind them.
 
Then they heard a voice.... no... many voices as a single voice... feminine... sinister....
 
"The candy you seek is before you.... take a peice if you dare.... but know my creations are watching you."
 
From around the bowl appeared two large wormlike creatures, rearing up on their back some like a snake, four hook like appendages flailing about a little. The children were wide eyed as they saw them... then saw two forms with worms EMBEDDED in their bodies approach, moaning.
 
"Silence the noise...." One said.
 
"Ah'r mother demands..." said the other
.. as a form lit up the room. A face. Made of wires and code. She looked at the wide eyed fillies.
 
"Boo."
 
The kids screamed and backed up in fright as the illusions faded, leaving them in the alchemy shop, with Ebony and Applejack removing the big worms that were attached to them and placing them by the others.
 
"I think we overdid it." Ebony said. The kids breathed a sigh of relief and each got some candy from the big worms.
 
"Happy nightmare night. " SHODAN said, the humor in her voice. "I kinda like the pretending part of it. A little close to home, but fun nonetheless."
 
Applejack pet one of the worms and nodded. "Anyhoo the candy part is almost over. The evenin of games and fun is just beginning!" She watched as the worms, called Annalids, slunk off like big snakes. "Come on Eb, we gotta go to that party in the Square!"
 
The two went to leave, when there was a knock on the door, two big for fillies or colts. Ebony answered it to find a flustered Celestia and Luna. They looked very distraught for two retired princesses.
 
"Ladies, please come in, and happy Nightmare Night!" Ebony said, but the two did not answer. They came in and waited for the door to be closes. And then...
 
"You two. Us. The Canterlot Nightmare Night Gala. NOW."
 
SHODAN chimed in at this point. "Care to elaborate?"
 
Luna stepped forward. "Alright... it all began about two weeks ago. We wanted to visit Twilight and see how she was doing as the new ruler, and then..."
 
*************
 
Celestia and Luna stared in disgust as the aristocracy began to gossip about the new Princess Twilight. They spoke of how she was a common book pony who just happened to be with the princess. They spoke of how she lived in the backwater town of Ponyville. And they spoke of how she soiled her hooves on doing *adventures* when she should have been discussing the affairs of state.
 
And then it happened. Twilight was on her way to the local bookshop, and from the aristocracy came several ponies, including the leader of the snob society, none other than Prince Blueblood himself. He stood before her and looked down on her.
 
"A crown does not a leader make, Sparkle." He said. "We of the Canterlot Council are deciding on whether or not you should have your crown or your position."
 
Twilight watched the noble (and I use the term loosely) ponies form a line before her. She firmed up and spoke.
 
"The princesses have faith in me, and I intend to lead this nation well."
 
Another pony, High Horse, snorted. "Really? You did a real good job when Chrysalis took over Ponyville. Took a bunch of undesirable creatures to correct your mistake, and in the end all we got was a bunch of bugs invading our homes!"
 
Twilight gritted her teeth and walked to the bookstore, only for the door to close on her face. Nearby some guards readied their weapons.
 
"Stand down ponies.... just idle talk."
 
Twilight went to walk off, but then it happened, as a pony aristocrat fired a blast of energy at her one wing. Twilight turned and saw a bunch of scowls. No one admitted to the crime and all just walked away, laughing at her.
 
That did it for Celestia and Luna. These self righteous ponies needed to be taught a lesson, especially given all Twilight had done for them all. They knew exactly what to do.
 
And Celestia knew who to ask to make it happen.
 
*************
 
Traveling through the Everfree is always a tricky thing, but it is especially dangerous close to Nightmare Night, as it feels like the worst of the worst creatures come out. Still the two persisted, seeking something specific out.
 
"You sure he will be here sister?" Luna asked. Celestia nodded.
 
"Indeed. It was either ask him or FT, and the latter was not available. Besides this is a big undertaking."
 
Luna sighed. "Yes, I know. And they have it coming. I just hope you understand what doing this may mean."
 
Celestia sighed. "For over 1000 years I had to see ponies like that talk behind my back because they felt I wasn't fit to rule. Now their ilk continue to do so. Tonight 1000 years of mocking is being paid for. Twilight saved their lives and this is how they thank her?!"
 
The sisters walked on down the dark path through the deep and ominous forest. The forest had always been a strange place in Equestria, seemingly operating on its own outside of any influence from the ponies around it. As such, not many ponies ever ventured deep into such a place, though the few that did knew as well that it houses many strange and also dangerous creatures not found anywhere else.
 
Soon the path the sisters took reached a break in the trees. A large clearing opened before them and in the distance, stood the remains of the castle of the two sisters. Luna looked up at Celestia and then around them.
 
“This is where we are meeting him?” She asked.
 
Celestia nodded. “I was told my message had been received and he would meet us in the forest near the castle. I’m…. Not exactly sure where though..”
 
Luna looked around the dark forest and shuddered. “Even as royalty, I feel nervous being here past dark. This place is not a safe place even for us you know. Could he not have agreed to meet us at the local coffee shop instead?”
 
Celestia nodded and sidled up closer to Luna. “I can’t help but agree… but, we said we would meet us here. So let us wait and see.”
 
Just then, behind them, the sound of something moving could be heard. The sisters ears perked up and they turned around quickly to see what it was, but it was too dark to see. Celestia illuminated her horn in an attempt to see closer. The bushes nearby were still but something told them they were not alone.
 
“Hello?” Is somepony-?” Celestia started to say when suddenly the bushes exploded and an enormous hulking mass burst forward at them with an earthshaking roar like a wild manticore. Both sisters shrieked in shock and stumbled back, eyes wide as the huge shape lunged. But then in a sudden and unexpected moment, the roar turned to a gasp and the beast flailed midair before tripping over itself snd crashing to the ground, narrowly missing landing atop the startled alicorns.
 
The two screamed as the thing appeared before them, then took a battle pose prepared to defend themselves. But when they saw what it was they lowered their guard slightly. At least what they thought it was.
 
"Stage?" Celestia finally said.
 
"If you are Stage say so now, or feel the wrath of the sun and moon!"
 
Stage, now a straddled mess on his back on the ground, looked up at the pair he’d nearly attacked before speaking.
 
“….yes, it’s me. Uh, sorry about that. I, uh, thought you were deer or something. Foliage made it hard to see hehe…”
 
He quickly righted himself and stood up in front of them. Celestia and Luna were big to begin with but when the huge green stallion stood next to them they may as well have been average sized ponies. Stage still looked apologetic snd shook the grass from his mane. “Uh, so! Glad you made it! I got the message you had something you wanted to talk to me about?”
 
Celestia and Luna both nodded. "Yes.... it's about the upper class of Canteot... and their treatment of Twilight. We.... want to make them pay for it."
 
Luna nodded. "We heard the stories, and honestly we think you might have an idea for us."
 
When stage hears this he stopped and looked at the sisters with a raised brow. “Make them pay huh? Stories about me? Surely you don’t me you’re wanting to…. Do what I do to them are you?” He asked a bit skeptical.
 
When stage hears this he stopped and looked at the sisters with a raised brow. “Make them pay huh? Stories about me? Surely you don’t me you’re wanting to…. Do what I do to them are you?” He asked a bit skeptical.
 
There is a moment of awkward silence. Then....
 
".........yes."
 
Celestias admittance of it was coupled with Luna explaining everything that the highsociety ponies had done, from name calling and stuck up noses to banning from stores and throwing objects at her. Considering all she had done the sisters were fuming by this point, the fire in Celestias eyes like that of Daybreaker in the mind of Starlight Glimmer.
 
Pure. Anger.
 
Stage saw the rage on their faces and a sly smirk slowly formed on his broad green muzzle. A smirk that eventually turned to a grin flashing his massive knife sharp fangs in the light of celestias horn.
 
“I think I have just the idea of how you can get them where you want them.” He said, his deep voice tinged with an air of eagerness. “But let’s go somewhere more private and I’ll give you any advice you’re after.”
 
“Where are we going?” Luna asked as Stage turned and began walking off into another part of the forest.
 
“Back to my house,” Stage replied. “It’s a fair distance so try to keep up. And don’t be fooled by any voices you may hear the deeper we get. They’re just Mimics trying to lure you to your death.”
 
The sisters looked at each other, a bit offput by the surprisingly normal way the huge horse had just said that. But nonetheless, they began following him deeper into the forest. Past the castle of the two sisters and into territory neither had ever set hoof in before.
 
The sisters indeed are a bit shaken as they move further into the everfree. But not for the same reason. For Celestia it is a bit unnerving that somewhere like this exists in the kingdom, dark and full of danger. But Luna was a little less frightened, her inner darkness seeming to surprisingly squee in delight at the creatures of the night and darkness.
 
Stage led them through this dark, silent, foggy emptiness for what felt like ages. Probably because it was ages. Celestia herself had no idea that the everfree truly was as big as it was. Nopony had EVER been so far to explore it. And given what she was hearing and even sometimes seeing in fleeting glimpses around them, she understood why. Eventually, Stage stopped and turned his light up ahead. There in front of them stood the shape of an enormous dwelling.
 
Coming through the mist was the massive silhouette of the manager residence, an imposing and staggeringly large two story stone structure nestled right into the trees itself. The front of the house was adorned by a large two story porch. The windows were of a lattice design with heavy lead filler and glass panes and seemed quite secure. On one side of the house was a porch half engulfed in black ivy. The walls were floor-to-ceiling windows all the way around giving a full view outside and in. There wasn’t any kind of a yard to be seen. The trees and foliage reached right up to the walls and porch. Branches and vines clung to the stone and twisted themselves around the porch columns and chimney. Tree limbs rested across the slate roof shingles where moss grew from them and onto the roof. It quite literally looked as though the forest was attempting to swallow the house into itself.
 
Yet the house remained steadfast, and despite seemingly being half engulfed by the forest, Stage walked up the thick stone steps and up onto the large front porch. He turned and looked back into the pitch black path they’d just come and motioned for the two sisters to follow him. He opened the heavy front door with a large iron key and led the pair inside. As he closed it something in the mist let out a deep guttural howl, far too close for comfort. Then the door shut and the only sound was that of a roaring fire in the fireplace nearby.
 
“Well, make yourselves at home,” Stage said gesturing them to the living area. I’ll make some tea."
 
The sisters walked in slowly and looked around in fear.... then in awe. The outside may have been scary but inside was rather welcoming, like a mansion. Luna actually felt she was in a sort of Paradise of the night. She looked about the home and nodded approvingly, while Celestia shuddered when she looked out the window. She wanted to ask the stallion how he could live somewhere so.... creepy... but she held her tounge.
 
Stage went to the kitchen to make them some drinks while the sisters tried to climb up and get comfortable on the enormous sofas. They almost felt like fillies being around such huge furniture. Eventually Stage returned with their tea, served in smaller cups for them and a large one for himself. He settled in on an opposite couch and took a sip of his drink before addressing them. It had begun to rain outside, but the fire kept the place nice and cozy despite the dark windy storm brewing just beyond the heavy latticed windows.
 
“So, first and foremost, have either of you ever… eaten ponies before? And if so, have either of you ever attempted consumption of the scale you seem to be hinting at?”
 
The two were silent for a moment before shaking their heads. "Only Luna has eaten anyone, and those were just fillies on Nightmare night."
 
Luna thought back tothat and licked her lips. Thank goodness for reformatives. She blushed before refocusing on the matter at hoof. "Thing is we never considered doing it mainly due to some of our enemies employing it. But.... that changed later on for us both, to where it is now a curiousity."
 
Stage smiled and took another sip of his drink. “It is certainly an interesting experience if you are not already involved in it” he said. “As somepony who has eaten countless numbers of ponies, creatures, and more, I can tell you a feat of this size will require quite a bit of stamina on both your parts” he explained. “But, I can see the determination is there and have no doubt with a little magic assistance you’ll be fine. As for how to go about gathering them all together, I had an idea for you”
 
Celestia and Luna leaned forward to hear.
 
“If my visits to Canterlot have taught me anything, it’s that those upper class folks can’t resist a large fancy gathering. As boring as they can be, it’s a sure way to bring the population together in one place. So I propose a memo be released announcing a grand ball in Canterlot castle. Make up an occasion. Something that promises all the tiny hors d'oeuvres and fancy talking they could ever desire. And once you have them all in one spot, it’s simply a matter of locking and sealing the doors with magic to prevent escape, and you two can go to town.” He smirked. The sisters looked at each other as they processed what he had told them.
 
“Hmm, yes. Yes, that could work! You’re certainly correct that the rich ponies of Canterlot enjoy a good gala. Thank you Mr. Manager!”
 
Stage nodded and stood up. “Of course. Now, before you leave I can give you each a spell that can assist you in consuming vast amounts of ponies in one go. I keep an archive of such types of spells in my office. They come in handy even for myself from time to time.”
 
The big green horse walked off through a door deeper into the house and returned moments later with two bound scrolls, handing one to each princess. “Here you are. I wish you luck in your feast. And perhaps, save a couple for me” he winked.
 
Celestia and Luna nodded, the latter shaking his forehoof. "I will bind up prince Blueblood himself for you." She whispered. They walked out, holding the scrolls, and moving quickly before the denizens of the night came upon them.
 
*************
 
After finishing their story, and their plan, those listening knew what to do. Ebony chuckled and brought over rhe reformatives, while SHODAN finished reading the scrolls, curious about magic. Both scroll and potion bottle, the latter almost glowing q deep blue and in a larger size than the typical portion, were given to the princesses.
 
"This is a special batch of reformative. That bunch of hoity toity doubletalkers will reform good as new. It's a larger group your eating so they will be gone longer.... I believe 48 hours instead of the instantaneous that a typical dose can do."
 
Luna and Celestia nodded. "Thank you all. I know this is extreme, but..."
 
Applejack giggled. "Those hifalutin snobs got it comin princesses!"
 
Luna nodded. "Then we better go get our meal. See you when it is over.... oh! I'll need a another small batch of reformative for one pony."
 
The two blinked, but Luna and Celestia gave evil smirks.
 
****************
 
Slow, High class violin music played in the ballroom of one of the finest establishments of Canterlot. Octavia sighed with boredom as she played, no one even acknowledging her presence, just talking about anti princess stuff. There were about 45 ponies I all, and perhaps the worst offender was Upper Crust, though others like Spoiled Rich and Prince Blueblood sure were going along with it.
 
Only a few in the attendance were not part of these conversations, Fancy Pants and Fleur de Leis in particular among them. They wanted to leave as the talk turned toxic but kept getting roped into conversations.
 
None of them, reluctant bystander or hard-core twilight hater alike, knew that the doors had been locked. Outside the window above the main part of the ballroom, Celestia and Luna waited. They smiled as they read the scroll first.
 
"Anotim Pargon Anuba Pargon Zurinano Ulyoth!"
 
With a sudden flash everything went dark in the ball room. The fancy ponies let out a shriek, cried for servants, uttered formal and informal complaints, and fainted. Some did a combination of these actions.
 
And then down came the princesses.... or rather, down came Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker, the two laughing as they landed in the middle of the stunned room.
 
"Well well well. What do we have here dear sister?" Nightmare Moon said, grinning evilly.
 
"Why I do believe a lot of spoiled little ponies, and all with no costumes!" Said Daybreaker, moving close to one of the ponies and licking her lips.
 
"No offerings either I assume?" Nightmare Moon said, going up specifically to the pony that tried to blast Twilight. Said pony swallowed and pulled out some bits.
 
"Take my money! My servants! My wife! Just don't hurt me!!!"
 
Nightmare Moon laughed. "Oh how pathetic. All i wanted was some candy. But I guess a PRINCESS SHOOTER will have to do." And without another word, she glomped the head of the pony, who screamed as she chewed just a little. Everyone made for the doors, but they were locked. As was all the windows and the ceiling entrance the two hungry alicorns had come in from. They were trapped!
 
Daybreaker went at it, chasing down Upper Crust and his revolting wife, finally grabbing them by their tail. Playfully she used a little fire to cook their flanks, making them jump and eep as they ran, the disguised princess of light laughing at the spectacle.
 
"Sister! Don't play with your food!" Nightmare Moon said, pulling a struggling pony into the shadows. A few crunching and chewing noises are heard, then the alicorn returns, licking her lips.
 
Daybreaker sighs and nods, zapping a couple of the rude shop owners, ironically the ones who made cake for the fact gatherings. As the blast ended the two bakers had been poofed into cakes themselves, and were soon pounced. Finally Fleur De Lis spoke up.
 
"Why are you doing this?! What have we done?!"
 
The two looked to her. "Not you. Them. They devoted themselves to harming and slandering a pony who has done nothing but save this land many a time. Their gratitude is to slander her name... or worse."
 
One pony spoke up. "You mean Princess Twilight? What good has she ever done? She never wears the right outfits, she always associates with lower class mares, and she isn't even capable of a proper royal wave!"
 
The two turned to who spoke. And of course, it was Prince Blueblood. They grinned toothily at him.
 
"And if all you can see is what is on the surface, and forget all the times she helped save our land, then you have no hope. Observe."
 
And Blueblood did, as did Fleur de Lis and Fancy Pants. They watched as the two princesses glomped and gobbled and chewed and devoured the mocking high class. Finally they approached who they thought would be the last one... Octavia.
 
"Why are you here?" Nightmare Moon said. Octavia shivered.
 
"I needed bits for Vinyls hearthswarming gift! I wanted her to get those new headphones?"
 
Daybreaker ahhhed. "Alright, so this was just a job. OK then, we will give you the bits. Your a good pony. They pat her head... then gave a burp, coughing up a few bits of fine jewelry. Octavia took that as a sign to leave.
 
As did Fleur and Fancy. Bit as Blueblood went to leave...
 
"Oh no you don't. You have been on of the main instigating ponies here. And we got a special fate for you." Daybreaker looked to her sister. "Moon?"
 
"Yes my sister?" Nightmare Moon said, getting very close.
 
"Think our mutual friend would want a Blueblood Barbecue?"
 
A single scream rang out, followed by the smell of delicious cooking meat.
 
**********
 
"Ohhhhhhh.... what a feast!" Luna said, having reverted back to her old self. "I have never had such a scrumptious meal since that time an orphanage let me be their bounce house for a party."
 
Celestia, face all covered in cake, moaned. "Oooohhhh..... even with that scroll Stage gave us I am positively stuffed like a turkey. But it feels so good! And when those ponies reform it will be like a bad dream."
 
Luna nodded. "Think they will learn their lesson?"
 
Celestia sighed. "I hope so. Meanwhile we need to thank Stage for a fun Nightmare Night."
 
Luna smirked, looking herself and her sister over. "I might have an idea for that."
 
*******************
 
The next day, as decorations were being taken down in Ponyville, Ebony smiled. Word had already reached him about what the sisters did, and how those high horses would be out of it for awhile. He chuckled and turned to the direction of Applejack, who worked diligently to begin prepping the town for the coming of winter in a few days.
 
"Ok.... you can do this." He said to himself, holding a large gold bracelet. An engagement bracelet. It was time to make the biggest leap ever.
 
She went wide eyed and seemed to cry as he approached, holding it. Ebony smiled, having a pretty good feeling how it was about to go.
 
****************
 
But what of our prince and princesses? Well after the incident, with a little help, they wound up back at Stages door. As Prince Blueblood struggled in bindings while rotating on a spit, Stage was making roasts out of the two plump alicorns.
 
"Thanks so much for a wonderful time Stage." Celestia said, Luna nodding as an apple was placed in her maw. On the wall was several pictures the green stallion had done, and she admired them almost as much as his home.
 
Happy Nightmare Night Stage Manager.