Dream Baker tapped her hoof impatiently as she waited near the tall, slender zebra. She huffed a bit as she watched him slowly soldering delicate wires in a new prosthetic he has been working on.

“Okay, how much longer is this going to take?”

Adjusting his magnifying monocle he muttered, “Give me a minute... or an hour,” he corrected as a wire shorted, causing the artificial leg to buck once violently as a puff of smoke rose from the wiring.

“Oh no, uh-uh. You're not missing another Nightmare Night because of this, come on. I have the perfect costume for someone your height. Especially since you grew out those sideburns!” Her magic enveloped his ear, twisting it and giving it a gentle tug as she led him quickly out of the clinic and back to her place.

The tall unicorn led the grumpy zebra around the back of her house. He coughed and spluttered as she attacked him with a spray can of dark gray temporary fur color. Hearing the commotion, Victors' personal guard pony, Jeeves burst through the back door of Dream's bakery and coffee shop where he had been waiting. A pendant around his neck had been enchanted with a glamour to make him look like an ancient stone gargoyle, covered in cracks and moss.

Staring at the battle taking place in the grass outside he almost let out his first chuckle. Dream had tossed the can aside and was now attacking his mane and sideburns with a black brush-in color.

“Oh would you stop fidgeting!” She snapped, working as quickly as she could, “I'd be done already if you would just hold still!” Smiling as she worked, she used her magic to generate a warm wind as she worked, drying the dye as she applied it to him before brushing it through the tuft of fur at the tip of his tail.

She grinned and shoved a parcel into his hooves, pushing him towards the house, “Now, go get changed into this and hurry up! It's nearly sunset!”

Sighing, she smiled to herself as she nodded, “Mission accomplished, now to get changed myself and get ready for the party.”

Smiling at the gargoyle standing guard, she booped his nose lightly with a hoof, “Jeeves, dear. Will you come with me, please? I need a little assistance with my costume.”

About twenty minutes later, Dream was waiting in the darkened front room of the cafe. The unicorn looked stunning, dressed in a tight black leather corset over a flowing white gown. Black stockings adorned her rear legs and bracers emblazoned with stars and constellations were on her forelegs. Shimmering silver slippers similar to princess Luna's adorned her hooves and a pointed but tastefully crooked witch's hat completed the look.

She had closed early for the night so the three of them could enjoy the Nightmare Night carnival together, but at this rate they were never getting out of here. Even Jeeves looked restless as he stared out at the costumed ponies headed for town square.

Finally, she heard hoofsteps coming from upstairs. Her breath caught in her throat for a second as Jeeves dropped into defensive stance.

Victor made his way down the stairs, tall and regal. He had spent extra time covering up his stripes and his scars with a bit of additional makeup. His dark mane was wild and untamed despite the heavy iron crown he wore, red prosthetic horn curving from the front of it. An elegant red velvet cape covered most of his back. Heavy looking iron armor covered his chest and legs as he made his way into the front room. For a split second, both Dream Baker and Jeeves thought that King Sombra himself had descended the stairs in front of them.

Until Victor opened his eyes. Those soft, pale blue eyes shone through the disguise as he smiled at Dream and reached out to touch her cheek. “You look incredible.”

She smiled, gazing into his eyes before looking him over. “You do, too. You took all of that time to make sure everything was perfect, right down to the sideburns.”

He laughed, smiling, “Yeah, I know you wanted tonight to be special.”

Nodding, she trotted over to the front door, “Shall we? The night is young, and by the grace of magic, so are we.”