When Nightmares Become Real

Princess Luna had just awoken her sister, Celestia, so she could raise the sun. Luna was waiting in the dining room of Canterlot Castle so that she and her sister could enjoy another breakfast together.

She was beginning to get impatient when Celestia came through the large doorway, holding a letter in her faint yellow aura in front of her face, reading. "Dear sister, what is it that you are reading at this early hour?"

"It appears to be a letter from Twilight. She has... She has requested our assistance in solving the mystery that caused her severe nightmares. I believe it is now time to tell her what we know."

"Good. I have been awaiting your word that I may tell her."

"Lulu... you?

"Is something wrong? I just believed that since I had actually been there to see her nightmares, I would be able help her the most."

"Oh... No, nothing is wrong. Go ahead and visit her if you wish. I will be here, as always."

"If you say so. Tell Twilight Sparkle that I will be there, although I must be allowed two hours of rest."

"Yes, I will. I must thank you for taking this upon yourself. I will wake you again in two hours."

"Thank you, 'Tia. I will take care of it to the best of my ability, seeing as how I am not much of a, how do you say... socialite? Is that the correct word?"

"I believe it is, sister. Good luck."

"Do not worry, 'Tia. I will not need it."

About two hours later, Luna was woken from her nap. "Lulu? It is time to visit Twilight."

It took her moment to wake up enough to function properly. "Yes, of course. 'Tia? You remember my ability to see into somepony's dreams in the past, yes?"

"Yes, Luna, I do. Why do you ask?"

"I believe I know when these nightmares first took hold. When she was a filly, she was playing in the park in Canterlot, before she was your student, with Shining Armor and tripped, hitting her head on the fountain. She was knocked out, and was told to spend the night in the hospital. She did and Shining Armor was kidnapped by a human."

"Luna, I thought you said you could only see into dreams."

"That is my point. The whole experience was one, big nightmare. She was just so young, that she truly thought it was real."

"That doesn't explain where the nightmares came from, though, sister."

"I believe I can tell you that as well. While I was... imprisoned... on the moon, I found a strange tear. It allowed me to look into the human world, and the humans' dreams."

Celestia was becoming fearful. "Luna, what are you saying?"

"I am saying that the humans are not from another planet, but a parallel universe of Equestria. Ponies' and humans' dreams risk being intertwined when great magic or a tear is near, and that is precisely what happened to Twilight. She was in Canterlot at the same time as you were in the city instead of the castle, and her dream was mixed with a human boy's."

"That doesn't explain her current nightmares, though!"

Luna stayed calm. "Sister, promise to not call me insane. Do not question it, just do it."

"Okay... I promise not to call you insane."

"A human soldier is in Equestia. A traumatic experience brought him and some very dangerous humans through a tear near Ponyville, and that soldier's nightmares are being seen by Twilight in her sleep."

"That seems a bit extreme. What I am concerned about is how to stop these nightmares before they drive Twilight insane."

"There are two ways, sister, and it is up to Twilight which occurs. We can either save him, or..."

"Or? Or what?"

"We kill him."

When she settled down on the balcony of the library, being careful not to knock over the large telescope sitting idle, Twilight had just gotten home. Luna waited patiently for the younger princess to unlock the door.

When she did, Luna spoke first. "Twilight Sparkle, my sister and I received your letter, and I am here while Celestia continues her royal duties."

"Oh, thank you for coming. I was afraid you weren't coming. Irrational fears can take lot out of a pony, huh?"

Luna sighed inwardly. Dear Twilight, you have no idea...

"Oh, please come in. Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you Twilight. Do you have somewhere private we can talk?"

"Yes, why?"

"I believe it is best if we speak alone."

"Oh... okay. We can talk in my bedroom. Just let me clean up a little first."

"There is no need. You are the first I can truly call a friend, which means a great deal. Before we talk, though, I must ask you a small favor."

"Yes?"

"You recall that Rainbow Dash has an issue with using the right words in context, correct?" She nodded. "I am slightly ashamed to say that I have the same issue. I request, as a friend, that you help me become more... Shall I say, literate?"

"Yes, of course Luna." Twilight led Luna to her room. "Now, you were going to help me with my nightmares, right?"

"Yes, Twilight Sparkle. You may want to prepare yourself, this is difficult to say."

Twilight shrunk back into her bed, while Luna remained standing. "Okay?"