Light Through The Darkness

Summer in Manehattan was such a lovely time of the year. The weather was pleasant and the time was perfect for two sisters to spend time together. But this wasn’t what was on Midnight Spark’s mind. She was out enjoying the beautiful day with her little sister, Starry Skies, but her mind was somewhere else.

“C’mon, Mid. Now’s not the time to have your head in the clouds.” said Starry Skies cheerfully.

“Huh? Sorry, Star. I’m just a little out of it that’s all.” replied Midnight Spark, but that wasn’t all. She couldn’t stop thinking about her dreams. Sure, I’ve delt with them all my life, but they’re getting worse. Midnight brushed it off for now. She didn’t want Starry Skies to know about them. They went to the park and played for a while before the sun had started to set. With night time so close, Midnight and Starry Skies started their walk home.

“What are we gonna do tomorrow, Mid?”

“I dunno, Star. What do you want to do?”

“Not sure. I’m too tired to think. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Deal?”

“Deal.” Midnight gave her a gentle smile. Starry Skies let out a big yawn. “Want me to carry you home, Star?”

“What? No, I can…” she let out another yawn. “Ummm, okay.” They weren’t that far from the house, so Midnight carried her little sister back the rest of the way there. When she got in, she took the little filly to her room and tucked her in. She looks so peaceful. I wonder if I’ll ever get to sleep like that. The problem with that was the sleep. Midnight went to her room. Lying in bed, she thought of what she could plan for her and Starry Skies to do tomorrow. All of the thoughts swirled in her head, making her dizzy and very sleepy. But she didn’t want to sleep. She knew what was waiting for her. She tried all she could to stay awake, then something popped into the back of her mind. It was a completely different feeling, like something was amiss. However, the sleep got to her before she could find that feeling again.

Midnight woke up early the next morning. It was still dark, and surprisingly chilly. She sat up trying to lose the blur. Wait! Realization came in quick. She was in what seemed like a huge forest. This can’t be, I’m not a sleepwalker or anything… or am I? There was just no explanation for that, or the fact that it was snowing in midsummer. I can’t just sit here, now can I. She got up, but she was feeling strange. Her hooves were feeling colder than usual. She looked down. Impossible! There weren’t any hooves, instead there was a pair of hands. What’s going on? My dreams aren’t usually this weird. She wasn’t a pony anymore, she was something else. Get up. Great, now I’m hearing voices. That’s right, you are. Who are you? I’m here to help you. I don’t need help. I think you do. You don’t even know what you are. Oh, and you do? You’re a human. Hu-man? Take it easy, lass. You’ll find out everything soon enough. Now get going. She started off into the forest, but it was no easy feat. These new limbs weren’t as coordinated as she’d hoped. You’re doing it wrong. Do enlighten me. Stand on your legs. I am. Not your pony legs, dunce! Your human legs. Just the back two. She reared back on her hind legs. It was a little hard getting balanced, but the voice was right. It was easier. She didn't like taking orders from a voice in her head, but she was running low on logical options.This is gonna be a long dream.

She continued on into the forest. There were so many low-hanging branches in the way that they were starting to annoy Midnight. Time to put these new legs… Arms. Arms. Whatever! I’m just trying to help. She let out a long sigh, but stopped. There was a sound she could hear very faintly. It sounded like somepony trotting in the distance. Maybe just the wind. She had to keep moving, the snow wasn’t letting up. It’s a good thing you have those clothes on, or you’d probably freeze. Clothes? Midnight took a quick look at herself. She was wearing some strange apparel. What’s all this crap? It’s what humans wear. The usual hoodie, jeans and sneakers combo. You even got some gloves to protect your hands. We’ll discuss my fashion sense later. Right now, I need to get out of this damn dream.

She trekked on but the canopy made the trees ahead of her nearly invisible. Need some light. She focused on a light spell but it didn’t work. Is the dream screwing with my magic? She reached up, but missed what she was looking for. Where’s my horn!? I’m getting tired of having to tell you all of these obvious answers. You’re a human, they don’t have horns. So no magic?! You have to use something else to channel your magic through. Like what? Try using the ring on your hand. There was a small ring with a pale blue stone on her finger. She had no other choice so she focused on the light spell. A little orb escaped the ring and illuminated the surrounding area. I’m sick of this dream. Why won’t it end? Do you really want to leave? YES! Well, I can’t help you there. Damn you, useless voice. She had no choice, but to keep going.

She was starting to feel tired, but she let her feet guide her. Midnight emerged in a clearing at what seemed like the heart of the forest. The orb illuminated the whole area. She looked around for her next direction, but a pair of trees caught her eyes. They were intertwined, almost like a tight embrace between two people, like her and her sister. There was rustling in the bushes behind her. Midnight quickly turned to see what it was. There was nothing, so she turned back to the intertwined trees. They’re gone! Behind where the trees once stood was a large shadow. In an instant, it took off into the dark. Without hesitating, Midnight chased the shadow. She ran as fast as she could, gaining more and more ground, when the shadow shot upward and disappeared. Midnight stumbled to a halt looking for that shadow, but all she saw were trees, everywhere. Where’d it go? Standing there, a very looming presence emanating behind her washed her with a wave of… Fear? Suddenly there was a rustling. She didn’t want to turn around, terrified of what might be there.

“Who’s there?” she asked, trying but failing to sound brave. The rustling grew louder, and it surrounded her now. “I-I’m warning you. Stay back!” she shouted. The rustling stopped, but a deep growl came from beside her. She screamed and took off into the shadows. Tearing past the trees, a loud roar filled the air. It sounded like… A dragon!? No doubt. I don’t have time for you. She kept running whilst tuning out the voice.

The ground was shaking unbelievably. Midnight didn’t want to stop. She knew that if she did, she was going to die in this dream. Bingo! It’s just a dream. I can’t get hurt, I’ll just wake up. She slowed down and turned to the dragon, who had caught up to her. Looking up at the behemoth, she acknowledged that it was just a dream, but the fear still felt all too real. The dragon reared its head and let out a stream of blazing fire. Midnight jumped out of the way, but she was slow and her left leg was caught in the blaze. The scorching heat burned her leg, and she shrieked in pain. It can’t be! It just can’t! Midnight writhed in pain, trying to comprehend how this had happened. It was in her dream. Dreams can’t hurt people. They can’t hurt, they can't burn, and they definitely can’t kill. But this one had hurt her. And now, it was going to end her. Thoughts raced in her head, but one blew past the rest. Star. I can’t die. She needs me.

“MIDNIGHT!!!” bellowed a voice from above. A ray of blinding light pierced the monstrous dragon, and it faded into the night. Down came what looked like a dark angel. With midnight-blue wings and flowing blue hair, the angel looked strangely familiar. Midnight tried to stand up to confront her strange savior, but the searing pain forced her back down.

“Please don’t strain yourself, Midnight.”

“Who are you?”

“It’s me, Luna.”

“P-Princess. What’s happening.”

“We can’t talk here. I need you to wake up. Calm your mind, Midnight. Take a deep breath and focus on waking up.”

Calming her mind seemed impossible. She had just been attacked by a dragon that managed to cause her actual pain, all while in her dream. Midnight focused all of her might to waking up. As she inhaled, a rush of warmth surrounded her. Just being out of the cold was enough to calm her mind. Everything seemed to slow down to a crawl. She exhaled and light engulfed her.

Midnight opened her eyes, and to her surprise, found herself in her living room. Starry Skies, Luna, and Celestia were all gathered around her.

“What’s going on? Why are you here?” she asked, trying to stand up. A sharp pain shot through her hind leg and she crashed onto the floor. “My leg! I burned it in my dreams, not in real life!”

“This is very bad.” stated Celestia, “It seems there is some drastic distortion in the realms of both dreams and reality.”

“We came because Starry Skies called us here.”

“I’m sorry, Midnight. I just heard you screaming in your sleep. I got scared and I called Luna here.”

“It’s okay, Star. I’m just glad they got here when they did.”

“This is very serious, Luna. We might need to gather Cadence and Twilight to discuss this.”

“I agree, Tia.”

“Wait a minute. C’mon, I get bad dreams all the time. This isn’t new for me. Well, my dreams never hurt me before, but it’s no big deal.”

“Before?!”

“No big deal?!”

“I’m afraid they’re right, Midnight. Look at your leg, and tell us it’s no big deal.” There was a faint but apparent burn with a strange, pale-red glow to it.

“Oh, right.” said Midnight halfheartedly.

“We’re only doing this to look out for you.”

“Yes, Midnight. We have nothing but the best intentions at heart. Tia, get us a carriage to Canterlot. I’ll help the girls get ready.” Celestia nodded and departed from the house. “Now, what can I get you, Midnight. We need to leave for Canterlot as soon as possible.”

“Okay, there is a cloak on my desk, that’s all I need. Star, get your cloak too.” The duo nodded and dashed into the hall and in what felt like mere seconds they returned. Luna gave Midnight her cloak, and helped her up. They made their way outside to Celestia who was standing next to a carriage waiting for them.

“We’re ready to go, Tia.” Celestia gave them a nod. She helped Starry Skies and Midnight up to the carriage, and they were off. Midnight was looking out the window toward their home. Midnight felt a rock forming in her stomach. She was feeling very empty at that moment. She couldn’t decide if it was leaving the home she held so dear, or if it was something else, something deeper.

“See Manehattan, Star? Keep it in your head.”

“Why, Mid?”

“I just feel like we might not see it for a while.”

“Everything alright, Midnight?”

“I dunno,” sighed Midnight, “I’m just feeling really anxious. I don’t know why.”

“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” No disrespect, but that is a load of crap.