A Nightmare's Reign: A quest for Harmony

A Second Chance

"Celestia really." Applejack said sounding astonished as did the others as they listened to Twilight's recap her strange dream around the campfire.

"I know it sounds strange but I heard her voice and she was calling to me." Twilight explained still not sure what exactly had just accorded to her. The mystery was killing her, she wanted to know so badly what had just happened perhaps it was a sign that her teacher who she had known since she was a filly was safe.

"Well, what did she say?" Rainbowdash said flying towards her and interrupting her thoughts.

Twilight tried to remember what had exactly happen in the dream world once again. "Well she just called my name that's it. She didn't say anything. I didn't really get much of a chance to see her since she was covered by the bright light."

All of sudden Rainbowdash looked suspiciously at Twilight as she began to stroke her chin with her hoof. "Maybe it wasn't Celestia after all, maybe it was a trick by Nightmare Moon trying to get us of guard. She can do that stuff you know!"

"It's possible." Twilight said. "But still it didn't seem like it, bright lights are not her style."

Rainbowdsah looked at Applejack hoping to get an answer from her. Applejack looked at the both of them and stated, "Well I don't know anything about any of this magical mumbo jumbo so I don't really have a honest opinion."

"Fluttershy." Rainbowdash said hoping for her opinion.

"Well Twilight did seemed scared when she woke up, but I guess I'd be a little scared to if  I met Princess Celestia in person." Fluttershy whispered the mere thought caused her hoofs to tremble.

Twilight started to speak again as she paced back and forth around the campfire thinking about what had happened. "The real question is why this accord now and not several weeks earlier when we lost to Nightmare Moon." Twilight continued to pace still not sure what to do.

"Oh, maybe it's a invitation to a party!" Pinkie Pie suggested sadly no one took her seriously on it.

Twilight sat back down near the fire place while the rest of her friends decided it would be best to get a little more sleep until they move out to head to whatever village or town would take them.

"Wonder what this means. Twilight thought to herself as she continued to ponder the strange dream.  Her stomach began to tighten as she continued to think of her formal teacher Celestia. How she mist her, she could really use her guidance right now. Twilight tilted her head into the sky and looked at the dark moon that encompassed it. She liked the moon as much as the next pony but she missed the old days when the sun would beam across a clear blue sky the sound of the  birds tweeting as they zoomed across it.

A tear began to slip down Twilight cheek as her slowly began to sulk between her legs . How did this happen?  What did we do wrong? I thought the elements were supposed to help us.

All of sudden the sounds howling was heard in the distance causing everyone in the encampment to wake up in instant.

"Uh oh." Applejack said her face become consumed by fear looking around with great urgency. " I know that sound anywhere."

"What....What is it." Fluttershy whispered now really frightened.

"Those are timber wolves. My Granny Smith used to talk about them during Zap Apple jam season." Applejack explained. "We better get moving, we don't want those things to catch up to us unless we want to be chop pony."

"Um...Girls." Fluttershy whispered pointing her hoof towards something. "Look." Sharply turning around they saw three pairs of glowing yellow eyes creeping their way towards them. From the shadows a large wooden claw with sharp crooked nails poked its way out of the trees, then the large snout emerged along with the mouth wide open to reveal sharp teeth ready to kill on sight. The Timberwolves began to enclose on the six ponies looking at them with great enthusiasm and lust.

"Uh, guys does anyone have any bright ideas." Rainbowdash said sounding scared as they creatures drew in from the kill

Looking around for a escape root Applejack needed to find something quick less she became these wooden creatures dinner. Quickly, remember what her Granny had taught her, Applejack grabbed one of the rocks from lying around and threw it inside the Timberwolves mouth. Suddenly the creature started cocking trying to get the pebble that was stuck in its throat. As the creature continued to hack off a storm the other two Timberwolves became distracted and started to take notice of their fellow wolf. Using the ponies made a run for it as fast as they could into the forest thick fauna.

"Good job Applejack." Twilight said as ran along side her friend.

Applejack smiled back "No problem!" Suddenly the sounds of howls were heard again as the Timberwolves began to gain on the ponies tales looking warped into a frenzy for blood.

Continuing to run through their jungles using every once of their horse power, they tried in vain to outhoof the Timberwolves. They could feel the sweat running down manes as they continued to run through these muddy dirt roads.

Finally Twilight could see the end of the forest and open valley approaching them. One by one each of them exited the large bushes only to end up at the every edge of the forest trapped by a endless chasm with no crossing to be seen. The Timberwolves then emerged this time it seemed their would be no escape as they were closed in at all corners and they only way out was to plummet down into the jagged rocks that laid beneath them.

"Well looks like this is it." Twilight said awaiting the inventible.

"Maybe we can through a were dead party once we've been eaten." Pinkie Pie said her voice shaking in fear.

Rainbowdash nodded "For once Pinkie I agree with you."

This was it the end, Twilight thought as the Timberwolves closed in on them. After only a few weeks on the run they were about to be eaten alive by mythical wooden monsters and they had no way to escape. Not even Twilight's magic was strong enough to get them out of this mess. Closing her eyes she awaited the inevitable. But nothing occurred, Twilight quickly opened her eyes to see that the Timberwolves were no longer facing the Ponies but they were now facing a strange figure wearing a brown robe the face covered by the hood.  The Strange figure started distracting the Timberwolves avoiding their attacks with her great agility.

Suddenly she pointed her hoof to the woods signaling she wanted the six ponies to enter into the forest were they would be safe from the Timberwolves.

"I don't know should we trust this pony." Fluttershy whispered to Twilight.

"I don't think we have a choice." Twilight responded as she started heading into the woods.

Following her direction, Twilight friends followed her into the forest passing the Timberwolves as they continued to attack the mysterious figure only to miss with each strike of their claws. Once again heading into the tick and think of the forest the girls ran as far as they could notching a strange glittering substance on the ground that formed a pathway for them to follow. Eventually the reached a empty area of the forest were the only thing in sight was a small wooden hut.

"This is what that pony was leading us to her house?" Rainbowdash said sounding confused not quite sure what to make of the hut.

"My home is safe I do assume, especially from the forces of Nightmare Moon." All six Ponies turned around the hooded figure began to approach them and removed her hood, revealing herself to be a female zebra.

"It's a zebra." Fluttershy stated looking shocked. "I've never seen one before."

"Thank you for saving us." Twilight said approaching their strange new alley. "My name is Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends...."

"I know who you are young one, and your lives as of now must not be fun." The Zebra said continuing to speak in rhyme. "But my manners were have they gone, Zecora is my name and that is not wrong."

"Well thank you Zecora for rescuing us." Twilight said the sounds of the forest were creeping on toward them.

Zecora started to head inside her hut. "Come with me and I will brew us some tea."

The six ponies followed Zecora into her hut, it was small, mostly made of mud and leaves that could be found around the forest, the place only had one room for one, and most shelves that she owned were covered from head to toe with all sorts of urbs and potions giving the place a sense of mystery and mystiques. Zecora headed to her cauldron in the center of her home and began to brew them some tea.

"Here is you tea, it's a ancient family recipe." Zecora said as she gave each of them a cup for them to drink. "For quite some time I have watched, making sure your mission did not botch."

"Are you friends with Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked sounding curious.

"Yes I am young one, for many years we have been friends, until Nightmare Moon came and put that to and end."  But now from what I hear strange dreams have started to appear."

Twilight chocked on her tea for a few minutes shocked that Zecora new about her dreams. "You...You know about that."

Zecora merely smiled. "Many things of magic I do know, perhaps I could help if you wish so." Everyone in the room looked intrigued by her offer.

"Well...I don't know. I'm not quite sure if these are just dreams our not." Twilight said sounding uncertain about her offer.

Zecora started to examine Twilight. "Dreams are a void into our heads, but sometimes more could be read. A spell I could use to observe with you and see what these dreams meaning is true."

"I don't know Twilight, sure were happy you saved our lives an all be we just met you." Rainbowdash looking suspiciously at Zecora who merely shrugged it off.

"Your fears are justified that is for sure, but trust me you I can assure. The spell will not be intense, so that you can contact the Princess."

"Well if It will help us contact the Princess, then I say we should do it." Applejack said with a note of confidence.

Twilight take a deep breath and made her answer. "Yes, lets do it."

Hours passed and Zecora was brewing the spell in her magical cauldron putting all sorts of mysterious herb and concoctions in the bubbling pot creating a strange stench that consumed the entire hut much to the ponies discomfort. But it would be worth it if it meant that they had a chance to contact Princess Celestia. The last piece of the brew that was needed was a piece of Twilight's mane.

"Okay...Here I go." Twilight plucked out a two locks of her mane and have it to Zecora who put it in the cauldron to mix with the other ingredients

Zecora pored the magical substance into a small cup and handed it  to Twilight. "All you need to do, is drink this brew. In order to control you dreams, this is true. "

Seeming resistant Twilight slowly began to put the cup in-between her lips and began to drink the magical brew which tasted considerably horrid to the point were she started to choke on it a little. Suddenly she started to feel weak her eyes began to droop and legs feeling weak. Quickly, her friends found a few pillows near by and put them around Twilight who plopped onto the ground closed her eyes and fell to sleep.

*****

Slowly the darkness began to disappear and once again be replaced by a bright white light but unlike last time Twilight seemed much more awake then asleep feeling in control of her own body. Finally realizing were she was she looked around  and continued to see nothing but void for what seemed to be miles on end.

"Hello!" Twilight shouted. "Anyone there?"

There was no response just the echo of Twilight's own voice bouncing of the unseen walls. She continued to look around to see if there was anypony there still continuing to end up short.  Then slowly descending downward from behind her a bright ball of energy emerged behind Twilight causing her to quickly turn around. It was strange but the minute she looked at it a calm conforming feeling emerged within her as if all the pain and agony of the world seemed to be gone. Twilight tried to touch the ball with her hoof only for it to slowly back away from her.

"Hey wait up." she began to follow the follow it wondering were the strange ball of light would take it.

*****

In Zecora's hut Twilight's friends watched and waited for something to happen although they were not quite sure what it was. Twilight remained stationary laying on her back on the pillows they had gathered from her asleep.

"So, how long do we have to wait?" Rainbowdash asked becoming impatient by all the waiting.

Twilight body all of a sudden began to move as she bent her legs and propped herself back up.

"Wow that was quick." Pinkie Pie said sounding excited. "So did you find out what the dream meant? Twilight?" Twilight remained silent and her eyes shut as she began to walk towards the door and exited the hut.

"Is she....Sleepwalking?" Rarity asked.

Rainbowdash turned to Zecora looked angry. "This is your potion, stop it.!"

Zecora continued to remain calm. "The potion is working that is for sure,  but dangers in forest she will endure."

"Then I guess we have to make sure Twilight has a nice walk then." Applejack said as she and the others headed out the hut to make sure Twilight's sleeping walking wouldn't end up being permanent.

******

In the dream world the ball of light continued to move farther away from Twilight as she continued run down the endless void trying in catch the ball of light always so close but yet not close enough to catch the ball of light.

As she continued down the endless void the bright ball of energy conjured up a wooden doorway and went straight through it. Twilight opened the door to continue her chase of the light only to find herself now in the dark narrow passage way.  The only thing that could be seen was another wooden door in front of it."

"This is strange." Twilight thought aloud as she slowly walked down the narrow paths. "But then again, these are dreams."

Making her way down the dark passage images began to flash in Twilight's mind images from her past when she was just a littel filly. Images of her time in Canterlot as Princess Celestia private protégé. One by one these images started appear on the wall as Twilight continued down the pathway. Then more darker images began to appear images of Nightmare Moon arising again, how she conquered Equestria and how she destroyed the Elements of Harmony. Images of the her guards terrorizing the citizens of Canterlot and Ponyville as they rampaged through the streets burning down homes and shops. Twilight began to slow down the haunting images begging to get to her nerves.

"No...No...I can't let these memories get to me." Twilight said to herself trying to continue to move on. The images began to flash even more violently than before. "No...I...I failed." The images of Twilights failure began to cover the dark walls of the corridor. That images of Nightmare Moon using her dark energies shattering the Elements of Harmony. The images was so strong that the same dark energy began to enter the very corridor oozing out from the walls and consolidating in a large smog of darkness .

*****

"Hey Twilight wait up!" Pinkie Pie said running along with the other trying to catch up to Twilight who's sleep walking had become sleep running.

"What's going on looks she's having a nightmare." Appleajack pondered as she started sweating.

Zecora nodded her head "Perhaps  the dreams have made a dark turn, turning happy thoughts into monsters."

"Does she always rhyme." Rainbowdash whispered to Fluttershy as the two of them soared above the rest of them.

"Um...Rainbowdash I think we have bigger problems." Fluutershy pointed her hoof down as she saw Twilight was heading to the very edge of the forest were a giant chasm blocked her from the other side.

Rainbowdash rolled her eyes in frustration. "OH COME ON! NOT THIS AGAIN!"

*****

The dark smog slowly began to surround Twilight ready to engulf her in it's evil essence. Twilight tried stepping back hoping to avoid being trapped by it but the smog just continued to surround her. Then she remembered what Pinkie Pie had told her about Nightmare's and how to deal with them. Making her stand Twilight started laughing at the evil smog trying to show how ridiculous it is. At first it was working the evil smog began to retreat and slowly denigrate.

"Ha! Your not that scary after all." Twilight boasted. But her moment of confidence came to quick end as the dark smog grew again large than before and projected itself towards Twilight. Closing her eyes she awaited the inevitable but suddenly the small bald of energy emerged and illumined weakling the darkness and destroying it saving Twilight from certain doom.

There was silence, Twilight slowly was opening her eyes seeing that everything was calm once again. She starred at the ball of light that starred right back her until it drifted away through passage way and through the door at the end of it.

****

In reality  Twilight's body slowed down and stopped right and the very edge of the chasm causing  her friends to take a huge sigh of relief.

Pinkie Pie looked around and noticed something odd ."Hey, this place seems really familiar."

****

Twilight opened the door at the end of the corridor, to her surprise she ended up once again in bright white room.

"THIS IS IT!" Twilight shouted sounding annoyed. "I'm back were I'm started!" she groaned in anger, all that effort seemed to be for nothing. She lowed her head in-between her hooves as she lumped onto the white floor exacerbated. In that moment of depression the ball of light that had led her to this room slowly approached her once again. Razing her head Twilight once again became drawn to it as she slowly began to extend her hoof towards it this time managing to touch it.

All of sudden the ball of light began to illuminate brighter until in a flash it morphed into a majestically treasure chest that opened up before Twilight. Slowly she looked inside Twilight noticed the only thing inside it was a  piece of parchment. Twilight took and saw that it was completely blank.

"So strange." Twilight thought examining the piece of parchment with interest.

"What do you wish most." a calm female voice echoed shocking Twilight forcing her to look around the room

"Celestia?

"Ask it what you wish most." the calm voice said again.

Twilight didn't understand, what she whished most, she wished many things, she wished to be out of this room, she wished to be with her friends and parents again, she wished she could fix her mistake.

Suddenly the piece of parchment began to glow as she thought about that last wish. It hit her, Twilight new what she wanted, she wanted to fix what she had broke by failing in her mission to defeat Nightmare Moon. She wished she could bring back Celestia and restore Equestria back to harmony. The piece of continued to grow and appearing on it a map of Equestria emerged all the locations that were recognizable to her appeared.

"I...I don't get it, it just a map of Equestria." Twilight said sounding puzzled, she continued to look at the map turning the parchment upside and inside out wondering how a map would help them in any possible way.  Her questioned was answered as six tiny stars appeared on it some were stationary while other moved around the map.

Looking at the map Twilight took a hard look at these six little ink blots. "What are these." she asked aloud.

The calm motherly voice returned again this time much louder then before. "Go to them Twilight, follow the light."

"Wait.. What do you mean by that." Twilight asked again.

"Follow the light."

"But Celestia what does that even mean." Before her question could be answered the map began to glow blinding Twilight with its light consuming the entire void.

*****

"AH!" Twilight opened her eyes and fumbled face flat onto the ground landing on hard stone. Slowly lifting her head she realized that she was no longer in Zecora's hut but rather she found herself in a old ruin, it was the castle of the pony sisters.

"How did I get here." Twilight said, all of sudden her friends joined her and helped her back up on to her hooves.

"You were sleep walking, and almost plummeted to your death but thankfully you ended up here." Applejack explained candidly.

"Oh..."Good thing then." Twilight said a little shaken.

"Yeah, it was weird you were all running then walking, then you used some strange magic and found that funny looking map." Pinkie Pie explained, pointing to a piece of parchment on the ground. Twilight picked up and saw that it was the same map that was in her dream.

"What's the map for Twilight?" Rainbowdash asked.

Twilight kept looking at the map still examine it. "I don't know....Zecora what do you think?" Twilight gave the map to Zecora for her to look over.

"A map this definitely seems to be but what it leads to is hard to see. But if your dreams lead you to this, I would not take that for a miss."

"So you think we should follow it then?" Twilight asked.

Zecora merely nodded yes handing Twilight back the map.

"Speaking of dreams did you see Celestia Twilight." Fluttershy asked.

Twilight didn't know how to answer that question for she herself didn't know. "No...Well...yes....I'm not sure, but I think that she too wants us to follow this map as well."

Meanwhile as Twilight and her friends looked at the map high above the ruins walls a small harmless bat watched hanging upside down from it's perch. Suddenly the creature extended its wing and flew as fast at it can towards Cantelort castle to warns it master what had transpired before it was to late.