When Nightmares Become Real

by Just_Another_Derp

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Human, Sad
Length: 13429

Princess Twilight Sparkle has been having nightmares for two months now and they are getting worse. It isn't the fact that she is having nightmares that scares her, though. It is what horrible things she sees in them that she fears.

Princess Twilight Sparkle has been having nightmares for two months now and they are getting worse. It isn't the fact that she is having nightmares that scares her, though. It is what horrible things she sees in them that she fears.

Death, explosions, and a mysterious bipedal creature with frightening tools and a strange companion plagues her sleep. One night, though, the nightmare she has pushes her over the edge. She wakes up screaming and sobbing, scared for her life.

She can no longer go on hoping her sleep will not have a nightmare in store for her. She seeks answers, but only finds one when she and her friends venture into the Everfree Forest: You can only stop your fears if you face them head on.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-29 18:34:34 UTC

Flashbacks and Memories

That night, about an hour after getting warmly dressed, Twilight left Spike in his bed and walked out into the night.

It wasn't terribly cold, although the wind was a bit nippy. Then again, she had dressed in a thick jacket put a small warmth spell on herself. A thin layer of fine, white snow covered the ground, but it was nothing to worry about. The clouds that had produced the stuff had been moved out that day, leaving a perfectly clear, star-filled night.

Twilight walked and found herself alone with her thoughts on her way to Zecora's hut. It was about five minutes away, at a brisk trot, but she decided to take her time to think in the peaceful darkness.

She first thought about her most recent dream, which still disturbed her deeply but did not bring on tears. Then about the rest, and about how they might have been caused.

They only started about two months ago, so it must have been from something recent, Twilight thought. But... nothing happened other than Discord's reformation, and like Spike said, even Discord isn't that cruel, reformed or not.

She continued walking at her slow pace, seeing that she was nearing the outskirts of Ponyville. She thought back throughout her life about things that may have caused the worsening nightmares.

Let's see, it may have been something traumatic earlier in my life. The issue in the Crystal Empire with the rise of King Sombra may have caused nightmares, but that doesn't explain the... alien... or its dog. It wasn't Discord's escape, or Nightmare Moon's, so it must have something in my foalhood. But, nothing traumatic happened other than-

She suddenly stopped and found herself entering the Everfree Forest. She didn't pay any mind to the forest, though; It was a horrible memory that made her stop in her tracks. She resumed her walk and recounted the memory to herself as if it had just happened last week.

It was a peaceful Spring day at her home in Canterlot  with her parents and brother, Shining Armor. Twilight was five, Shining being a few years older. He and Twilight were out and about, having fun in the park by the fountain while their parents stayed back and watched them have the time of their lives.

While they were running from one of Shining's other friends - they were playing tag - Twilight tripped on a rock and hit her head on the fountain. She had a minor concussion and a couple of bruises from the fall, but her family had the young Twilight stay the night in the hospital, at the doctor's insistence.

Her parents stayed at home, which happened to be just a few blocks away, while Shining Armor stayed with his little sister. After all, he was her BBBFF.

Twilight awoke in the night and found Shining missing from the chair he had made his bed for the night. She looked around the room and found nothing. She was about to pass it off as nothing until she saw the open window. She said to herself, "That wasn't open before. Or was it? Oh, poop, I don't remember!" Pouting to herself, she rolled on her side, facing the window.

She silently wished he hadn't left through the window, as ridiculous as it sounded. She was about to drift off when she heard something strange... Coming from the window. She pretended to be asleep and watched the window, hoping it would just be a bird, or Shining.

Instead, it was something that scared her senseless. She almost jumped up and ran out of the room she was in.

Climbing through window, with her brother hanging unconsciously over its shoulder, was an alien; a biped. It walked over to Shining's chair and-

Twilight's flashback ended abruptly when she felt pain on her face. She blinked a few times and shook her head, confused, until she realized that she hadn't been paying attention to where she was going and walked face-first into the door of the zebra's hut. She stood silently, staring at the door and pondered whether or not to knock.

She didn't want to wake Zecora, if she was even asleep. As she turned to leave she heard the door open.

"Ah, my Ponyville friend! What brings you here, in the midst of day's end?" The zebra had in fact been awake, and heard the thud of Twilight's face meeting the wooden door.

"Oh, hi Zecora. I just came to see if you were awake and wanted to talk for a bit. I didn't want to wake you, but apparently I shouldn't have worried."

"It is no problem, my door is always open. Now, please come in, the temperature is under ten!"

Twilight hadn't realized how cold it was and quickly walked inside and shook the bit of accumulated snow off of her hooves and coat.

"Now, Twilight, what troubles you? Surely it must be something new."

"Well, it's actually been going on for a couple of months now. I'd like to start from the beginning, if you don't mind."

"First, let me brew you some coffee. Then you can tell me the story."

Zecora kept to her word and brewed Twilight some much needed coffee. It was a little strong for the princess, but was otherwise perfect. She was halfway through her first cup when she began the story.

Two hours and five cups of coffee later, Twilight finished with that night's nightmare. Zecora had a concerned look on her face throughout the tale, but seemed deeply troubled by the most recent nightmare. Before the zebra could respond, Twilight said, "Zecora, I didn't come to tell you so you could worry about me. I wanted to know if you could think of anything that may have caused them, or at least something to suppress dreams. It's hard going to sleep knowing I might have another nightmare."

Zecora sat for a moment, thinking over what Twilight had just told her. "I do have something that can help you, but your problem cannot be fixed by a simple brew. It is a problem within your mind; something rare for pony kind."

Twilight decided that Zecora's vague explanation would have to do. "Thanks, Zecora. I thought you'd be able to help. I guess I'll have to keep looking if I want to solve this permanently, though."

"It is no problem, my dear pony friend. Come to me anytime, and I may have a helping hoof to lend." Twilight and Zecora quietly went their ways as Twilight thanked her again. She decided to finish the flashback on her way home.

The figure carried the young Shining Armor over to the chair and set him down, still sleeping. The figure turned to the terrified Twilight and began walking towards her bed.

Millions of possibilities rushed through Twilight's mind, several including the early death of Twilight Sparkle that she could barely comprehend. This rush of her thoughts stopped as quickly as they started when a nurse rushed through the door. The alien leaped out of the window before the nurse could spot it.

What Twilight hadn't realized is that her heart rate increased significantly in fear of the bipedal figure, and the nurse thought something was wrong when she heard the heart monitor's beeping increased rapidly.

Twilight jumped up out of bed and rushed to the nurse, crying hysterically and trying to repeat what had just occurred through sobs. The nurse put her to bed and told her to sleep, thinking the young mare had in fact just had a bad dream, and closed and locked the open window.

Shining Armor had no memory of the night, remembering only falling asleep and waking up the next morning. Twilight tried to tell her family, but they too thought it was a bad dream from the concussion and her imagination working against her.

Twilight sighed sadly as she reached her home, remembering how nopony had believed her. She kept quiet about it for the longest time. Until now. She would tell Spike, then her friends, then maybe her sister-in-law and fellow princesses. She considered telling Discord, but knew he wouldn't take it seriously. Shining Armor and her parents had heard it already, so she would leave them out of it.

She walked quietly up the stairs so she did not wake Spike, let her jacket drop to the ground beside her bed, and went into a sad and thankfully dreamless sleep.

Secrets to Keep

Spike lay silently in his small bed and watched as Twilight let her jacket drop to the floor and climbed into bed, still having slight difficulty with the wings that made her a royal alicorn. He'd been awake the whole time, pretending to sleep. When Twilight left in the night, he saw it as the perfect opportunity to write a letter to Luna and Celestia.

Finding some paper, quills, and ink, he sat down and wrote a letter, keeping an eye on the door in case she came home quicker than he thought.

Dear Princesses Luna and Celestia,

It's Spike writing, I just wanted to let you know that Twilight is still having the nightmares. Tonight's was the worst one yet. I'll let her tell you herself, it's too disturbing to put on paper. What I will tell you is that it is still that human soldier and his dog. The dog probably won't be in any more of the dreams, if you catch my drift. Still the guns, still blood. Still death. I wish we could just figure out what is going, or what caused these things. I hate keeping what we know away from her, but like you said, it's probably for the best. I'll try to cheer her up, but it might not work. She cried for a half hour straight, after waking up and screaming. She eventually cried herself out and told me about the nightmare. Talking to Discord's still an option, I would think, but I know you probably disagree. I wish there was something we could do. Something I could do. I guess we'll just have to ride it out, like you said.

Awaiting your response,

Spike

He sighed, looking at the letter he'd just written. "I really wish there was something I could do to help, other than just be there to comfort you, Twi'. I hate keeping this from you and writing to the princesses behind your back, but they said it was for the best. They usually are right, but I feel like they aren't this time."

He looked at the door one last time, halfway hoping Twilight would burst in and keep him from sending the letter. The door remained shut. Spike breathed his green fire onto the letter, watching it dissipate and fly through the air to Canterlot. No matter how well anypony explained it, he would never understand how he was able to do it without burning the paper to ash.

About two hours later, Twilight had come home, and Spike received no response from either princess. He didn't worry though. He didn't expect them to send a letter in the dead of night like he had.

He decided to catch a quick nap before getting up at five in the morning and beginning the same, everyday routine: Making Twilight coffee and breakfast, leaving it on the table, then going to spy on- visit Rarity.

On his way to Rarity's house, Spike received a letter. The response from Luna.

Dear Spike,

We both know you hate keeping this information from Twilight, we do as well, but we must do it to protect her. My sister has her motives for hiding this, and I do not question them, but I wish we could tell her as well. I see no good reason to continue this charade, but my sister does, so we must do as she wishes. Forgive me if this letter seems vague or pieced together, I am not as well-written as Celestia. I have seen Twilight's nightmares, but I can do nothing about them directly, as it is not from her point of view. She is but a mere observer. She will be told in time, my sister told me so, but I cannot say when.

Until next time,

Princess Luna

"Well, that sucks. It's too bad though. If Celestia would get it through her thick, royal skull that Twilight is miserable, we could fix it all the sooner."

He continued walking towards Rarity's house, thinking about what else he could do to help Twilight, and her nightmares.

The Other Side

Sergeant Major Henry Jones was tall, standing at about 6 feet 10 inches, and had a heavy build that was all muscles after his 6-plus years in the U.S. Marines. He had short brown hair and a thin layer of stubble on his face. Blue eyes and a blocky face made up the most noticeable facial features. He dressed standard desert camo, as he was getting ready to go on a mission overseas near the Afghanistan border.

He stood in the cargo bay of a grounded C-17 cargo plane. It was sitting in the hangar at a military base in the northern United States, waiting to be sent on its next mission.

Jones went over a last minute brief with the crew. "Alright people! We have takeoff in five mikes! One more thing before we go!" He took out several small, hand-held radios and handed one to each of the soldiers and crew in the hangar, keeping one for himself. Three other marines made up the rest of his squad, the other seven being the crew, two of which were the pilots.

"These radios are for emergency extraction only. For talking with command for updates about the mission or intel, use normal comms. If shit hits the fan and we go down somewhere in the middle of enemy territory, these will get you in touch with allied fighters in Afghanistan, who are waiting on stand-by. Where we're going, it'll probably take five to ten mikes, fifteen tops, for them to reach us. You each have your own in case we get separated in a crash.

"Any questions before we take off?" No one raised their hands except a freshly minted private. New blood. "Yes, Private?"

"Sir, what happens if we get captured by the enemy before the fighters get there? Assuming we do go down."

"It means that they will torture you and put you through several different hells and no matter what, you cannot tell them anything that we know about their operations. Anything else?" The private just silently shook his head, obviously scared.

"Good then. It'll take a few hours before we reach the drop zone, so catch some shut-eye on the flight over there. Get on the damn plane so we can come home sooner!" A chorus of "yes, sir" rang throughout the otherwise empty hangar.

When Jones took his seat, he checked his weapons. First, his primary weapon, was an M249 LMG, fully automatic with armor piercing rounds and equipped with an adjustable foregrip. Heavy power and lighter load. His sidearm was a standard-issue M1911 semi-automatic pistol, also having armor piercing rounds and a detachable suppressor. Reliable and accurate, good for close quarters and silence.

The bay doors were about to close we he remembered something. "Hey, wait a minute! We left a passenger behind!" The bay door settled back down to the ground as a German Shepard jumped in. Military trained for stealth and recon, along with close-quarters combat, was the closest thing Jones had come to know as a pet.

Jones named him himself, Rocky. He thought it was a fitting name, but not many others agreed. Rocky and Jones had a bond that could only be made in the midst of battle. They had saved one another's asses on more than a few occasions since Rocky had been assigned to him, the dog having the majority.

They boarded the plane and Rocky settled down at Jones's feet. They both took a nap during the trip across the Atlantic.

The Sergeant Major and his companion woke up to blaring alarms and yelling. "Come on, come on! Everybody bail, we've been hit and we're going down in the middle enemy territory!"

"Shit! Come on, Rocky, let's go!" Jones grabbed a parachute for himself, attaching the dog to the harness. He ran, half carrying the dog in one arm and his LMG in the other. He jumped out of the open bay doors, the dog freaking out the whole way. He never liked parachuting.

When they neared the ground and Jones released the chute, there was an explosion. Looking up past the open parachute, he saw that the plane had exploded in mid-air, and debris was coming down. Fast.

"Dammit! Hold on, Rocky, this is gonna get rough!" He wasn't lying. He tried to steer out of the falling remains of the plane and its cargo, but one large piece of ripped metal got lucky.

The hunk of plane ripped through the cloth of the parachute and tore a huge hole in the center. The pair accelerated towards the ground. Jones didn't have time to open his secondary, so he did his best to roll where he wouldn't crush the dog on impact with the ground. Jones thought he would die from the impact, but he'd been wrong before.

Pain tore through his body as Jones came to. He groaned and released the harness that kept Rocky in place, his eyes still closed. He realized he was laying on his side and heard the dog whine in pain.

He had landed with Rocky not completely out from under him, the over 200 pound soldier easily snapping the bone in the animal's front right leg, effectively breaking it.

He moved to get up and help his injured companion when he noticed something very strange.

Why the fuck are we in a forest?

The pain had eased enough that it was bearable for the soldier, but the same could not be said for the dog. He lay on the ground, trying to stand up, but failing each time. "Rocky, hold still. Your leg is broken. Let me fix it."

Rocky understood and complied to his friend's wishes, rolling on his side. Jones got his pack and set it on the ground, getting out the materials to make a splint.

We he was done, Rocky could walk, but slowly and painfully. The heavy soldier decided to sling the LMG over his shoulder and carry the injured animal.

He spoke into his standard comms to reach his boss. "Sir? Sir, Sergeant Major Henry Jones here. It seems my dog and I crash landed in a forest. His leg is broken and I am requesting medevac, how copy?" Static.

"Sir, I am requesting medevac, how copy?" he said more sternly. Just static.

"Goddammit, Rocky, looks like we're on our own. C'mon, lets go find a cave to set up camp in." He hefted the injured animal in his arms, holding him so as to not drop him and cause more damage, and headed what he believed what was west.

A Not So Normal Day (Rainbow Dash)

Rainbow Dash was in the middle of an early morning training session when she was distracted by something. Something loud, coming from the Everfree Forest. She wasn't sure how to explain it, to herself or her friends. Dash lost track of her flight long enough to crash through the same window of Twilight's library.

Still dazed, she thought, Sweet Celestia, whatever higher power that controls everything, WHY DO YOU MAKE ME HIT THAT SAME WINDOW EVERY BUCKING TIME? She found herself stuttering to explain to Twilight why the window was broken, again. "Twi-Twilight! I-I-I was ju-just practicing a new trick and I-"

"It's fine, Dash. I've gotten used to you crashing in here. C'mon, get up, you're buying the new window this time."

"As long as you aren't mad at me, I'm fine. My wing's a little banged up, but I'll be alright." She lifted her right wing, the same one she'd injured when Twilight got her to start reading, and winced.

"If you say so, Dash. Help me pick up these books and you can go window shopping."

Just then, Spike walked through the door. "Bad pun, Twi', even for you."

"Shut up, Spike. At least she doesn't go and spy on Rarity while she's in the shower!" Rainbow yelled.

Spike became flustered and stuttered defensively, "I-I do not s-spy on R-R-Rarity!"

She retorted, "Oh come on, man, even she'sseen you hiding in the bushes with your hand out of sight!"

"ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled, angry. Rainbow Dash was shocked by her outburst, as was Spike. She wasn't normally like this.

"Rainbow, go buy me a new window and get a couple of weather ponies to help you replace it. Spike, I need you to send a letter to the princesses for me."

Rainbow Dash skulked towards the door. "Alright, I'll see you later Twilight." She turned to Spike. "And if I catch you spying on me, you'll wish you hadn't met me."

Spike held his hands up defensively. "Hey, woah, I would never think of it, Rainbow. Although, I wouldn't mind-" The rest was cut off by his mouth being clamped shut with a faint purple aura. "Spike, be quiet. Rainbow, go."

Rainbow sighed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. "What was that about?" She said quietly to nopony in particular. Dash knew that Twilight had been having nightmares about some weird alien, but she never said anything about how bad they were.

"Twilight, come on. if you're having trouble, why won't you tell any of your friends? Totally not awesome." With that, she left to gather up some bits from her cloud home and get her friend a new window.

An hour later, after getting together some bits and finding a couple of her weather ponies to help her replace the window, she walked through the door of the store that sold windows and walked up to the counter. The same pony was there every time. An aging pony, not quite as old as Granny Smith. Rusty orange coat and a mane and tail of slightly darker shade of the color mixed with red.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, same as last time?" It happened enough times that Dash had become a regular at the shop.

"Morning, Frank. Yeah, same as last time. But, do you have anything more break-proof?"

"Ms. Dash, you've asked that the last seven times and the answer is still no." Frank said with a bit of annoyance.

"Alright then, here's the bits. Just leave it out back," she said, emptying the sack of bits onto the counter.

Frank scooped up the bits and dropped them into the register. "Nice doing business again. Same time next week?" He asked, jokingly.

"Oh, come on. It doesn't happen that often." She turned to go out the door. Frank, noticing nopony within earshot, said quietly, "Y'know, Ms. Dash, if I didn't know any better, I would think you had a little crush on Ms. Twilight Sparkle."

Rainbow stopped, turned around, and glared at him. "Frank, I DON'T," She said quietly, but forcefully.

"Hmm, then that little dragon friend of hers then?"

She just got angrier, remembering the conversation from earlier. "No, not him."

"Doesn't explain why you come in every week to get a new window, the same exact window mind you, just because you happen to 'accidentally' fly through and break said window every time and land in her home."

Dash sighed, defeated. "Alright, fine," she said much quieter, embarrassed. "You win. You're right. But this time actually was an accident!"

"Hey, don't worry, Ms. Dash. I won't judge you or anypony else. Just so long as you don't shove your personal business down my throat."

She began to get some of her normal self back. Jokingly, she said, "Shut up, Frank. Just get me that window, would ya?"

"Alright, Rainbow. I won't bother you anymore about it. I'll keep this between you and me."

"Thanks, Frank."

Rainbow Dash just walked out of the door, watching her fellow weather ponies carry the new window to the library. She turned around to go in the other direction and came face to face with a very frightened Fluttershy. No surprise there.

"R-Rainbow Dash! There was s-some kind of explosion in the Everfree Forest, but there was no smoke or f-fire. I was too scared to go look by m-myself, so I came to find you!"

"Explosion? About an hour ago?"

"Y-yeah, why?"

"I heard it too. Distracted me and made me crash through Twilight's window. That's why I'm here."

"Oh my goodness, are you ok?"

"Yeah, Flutters, I'm fine. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, just scared by the explosion."

"Alright, c'mon. Let's see if we can get the girls to come look with us."

A Not So Normal Day (Fluttershy)

Fluttershy woke up the same way she did every morning. About 7:00 in the morning, Angel lightly kicked her leg. That was her alarm clock. She would rather Angel kick her awake than be woken up by loud noises; she hated loud noises.

"I'm up, Angel. Shall we go down and make breakfast?" The rabbit tapped his foot quickly, impatiently, meaning "yes."

"Okay, then. You meet me down and get started. Just let me wake up a little." Angel, agitated, ran down stairs and began breakfast. Fluttershy was vegetarian, so it didn't matter what Angel made.

She waited a moment and looked out the window at the sun, which had just risen not too long ago. She then proceeded to fix her mane in its signature position, mostly hanging over her face, then went downstairs.

Angel had his food ready to eat, Fluttershy's sitting and waiting to be finished. "Thank you, Angel. You can go ahead and eat." The rabbit's food was gone in a few bites.

By the time she was finished eating, which was around 7:30, Fluttershy went outside to take care of the rest of her animals. Singing happily to herself made the work go by much quicker. She hadn't realized she was done until she reached into the sack of feed for the chickens, which she always fed last, to find it empty.

"Oh, I'm already done? Hmm, it just goes by quicker and quicker every day. Oh well, more time to myself before I go visit the girls." She was about to go inside her cottage when she heard an explosion; it was loud and very close.

Screaming and running inside, she peeked out a window towards where the explosion came from. No fire, no smoke, no signs of an explosion other than the original noise. "Oh dear, what was that? I had better go get Rainbow Dash and the girls so we can see what happened." Angel just looked at her, confused, and went back outside.

After an hour of searching, Fluttershy finally found Rainbow Dash, outside of the window store.

"R-Rainbow Dash! There was s-some kind of explosion in the Everfree Forest, but there was no smoke or f-fire. I was too scared to go look by m-myself, so I came to find you!"

"Explosion? About an hour ago?"

"Y-yeah, why?"

"I heard it too. Distracted me and made me crash through Twilight's window. That's why I'm here."

"Oh my goodness, are you ok?"

"Yeah, Flutters, I'm fine. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, just scared by the explosion."

"Alright, c'mon. Let's see if we can get the girls to come look with us."

I wonder why Rainbow Dash is always crashing in through Twilight's window, and why it's the same one every time. Rarity says that Dash has a crush on Twilight, but if she should have a crush anyone, it would be me. OH! Did I just think that? Oh no, Fluttershy, you silly filly! Why would ever think something like that about your best friend? A battle was raging inside of the quiet pony's head, and Rainbow Dash could see it clearly.

"You sure you're okay, 'Shy? You're making weird faces."

Fluttershy was snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, yes, I'm just fine. Just worried about what made the explosion."

Rainbow seemed to understand, but wasn't convinced. "No, it looks like you're fighting with yourself. It's alright, I do it all the time."

"Really? Oh good, I'm not the only one who- Eep! N-nevermind!" Rainbow gave her a strange look. "Ooookay... Well, here we are!"

Sure enough, they had just gotten to Twilight's home. Rainbow knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Not even a "Can you get that, Spike?".

"That's strange. Maybe she's not home Dash."

"No, she's got to be. I wasn't gone that long. Besides, the weather ponies just got done putting in the window."

Fluttershy looked up and saw the weather ponies she was talking about flying away with the shattered window. She walked up to the door and knocked softly. "Spike? Are you home? Twilight?"

The door flew open, revealing a frightened Spike. "Guys! Get in here!" He grabbed one of both pegasai's forehoof and pulled them inside, shutting the door behind them.

"Oh, Spike, what's going on?"

"Twilight's nightmares pushed her off the deep end. She asked the princesses to come and see if they had any ideas about what was going on. Only Luna came, just about a half hour ago, and all I've heard since is crying." As if on cue, another loud sob session rang out, coming from Twilight's bedroom. "See what I mean?"

"Oh dear, is she okay?" Trying to speak over the loud wails was difficult, but they were able to. Rainbow spoke. "'Shy, does it sound like she's okay? Spike, what's going on?"

Spike sighed. "I'll tell you, but you can only tell the other girls, and in private! Nopony else can hear this!"

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash nodded and leaned in, wanting to hear Spike's story.

Luna's Confession

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?"

Angels in a Strange Form

Henry Jones had shed his military ranking after those two months in the forest. He decided that his brothers-in-arms weren't coming after him. It's just you and me, Rocky... Just you and me...

He still had his guns, though he did not have much ammunition left. He had one 200-round magazine left in his LMG, after running into several packs of those wolves made from wood, the giant lions with scorpion tails, and a very strange - and very scary - giant, purplish bear (that alone took four out of the nine magazines he had to use). The rest of his ammo was being save when he finally found the group of enemies that were hunting him down.

Jones didn't know much about them, other than that they had effective guns. Nothing like they could have in the Amazon...

He had just gotten done clearing out a camp of the rival humans. Pulling a very large, makeshift knife from a sheath on one body, he studied it. The blade was made from bone - Probably one of those mutant lion things. - and the hilt and handle were made from a sanded down wood, probable taken from a native tree. "C'mon, Rocky, it's time to leave and get back to camp."

Rocky barked in compliance. His leg had healed up very well considering the quick job Jones had done with the splint, although he still got around on a limp. Probably since the bone fused back together crookedly. If I ever get back, I'll have to make sure the doctors get it to heal correctly. I doubt I we'll ever get back though. We'd have gotten back by now if it were possible.

Jones wanted to slap himself. How dare he think like that! He was about to scold himself when he heard footsteps and voices. "Shit. Rocky, come on, hurry!"

A voice yelled in what Jones translated as, "Hey, look! It's that asshole American! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!" Jones ran as fast as he could, Rocky right on his tail.

The enemies opened fire. He kept running, chunks of trees and dirt spraying out in every which way. There was a clearing ahead. "Rocky, come on! We're almost there!"

He was right. Almost.

He heard his only companion yelp in pain. He turned to see what he hoped was actually another nightmare. It was just like the other. Rocky was hit in the shoulder. He rolled and hit a tree, whimpering quietly. Yelling in defiance - he refused to let the nightmare really happen - he dropped and emptied his last LMG clip into the general direction the enemies were. Silence.

He turned to the dog only to confirm what he had feared. Rocky was dying and he had no medical supplies. They had been stolen, used, or lost. It began to play out like the dream: he cried, began saying his goodbyes to the dog, and put the pistol to Rocky's head. But there was one difference. There were heavy hoof beats coming from his left. He readied his pistol; if the enemy killed him, he was going to go down shooting.

Instead, something unimaginable happened. A smaller version of a horse, purple in color with a dark purple mane and a magenta strip down the middle and a tail to match, burst into the clearing, panting. It spoke. "NO! STOP!"

He couldn't believe his ears. Or his eyes. Through a spot on its forehead where the mane parted, there was a horn to match the hair color. You have got to be fucking kidding me.

The muzzle of his pistol was pointed directly in its face. He had lost the suppressor while running from the group a month ago. Instead of anger or determination in its eyes, he saw fear. "What. Are. You." He said in a quiet, anger-filled but defeated voice.

The thing spoke again. "W-what?"

"YOU HEARD ME! WHAT. THE. FUCK. ARE. YOU."

"I-I... I am the pony that is saving you and your dog's lives."

Jones didn't know what to think. All he could think of was blowing the thing's brains out and continue to put Rocky out of his misery, but something was off. The thing- It must be a she, the voice sounds feminine. And she said 'pony'... What the fuck is this? the pony's voice had a tone that sounded strange. Filled with fear, but matter-of-factly.

His voice shook with what he couldn't say was fear or rage. "Why should I believe you?"

"There is no reason, but you have no choice. It is good for both of us." He tried to ask she meant, but she cut him off. "Don't ask, just listen. I'm telling the truth."

Just then, heard more yelling, coming from behind the purple pony. He heard someone, or something, speaking with a Southern accent. "Twilight? Twilight, where'd yah go?"

The one standing in front of him turned and yelled back, "AJ! I found him, we're over here!"

"There's more of you?" Jones was the one getting scared now.

"There's no time." She turned back to the forest behind her. "Fluttershy, hurry! The dog won't last much longer!"

In the confusion, he had forgotten about Rocky. "You have medical supplies?" She nodded quickly. "Thank God!" He turned back to Rocky, putting the pistol away. "Rocky, stay with me. You're going to get fixed up." The dog was fading. "HURRY! PLEASE!" He was beginning to cry again.

The pony called Twilight was unnerved by seeing him cry. He was about to explain what happened when five more of the ponies ran into the clearing, a yellow one having saddlebags on its back.

Twilight walked over and tried to pull him away from Rocky, but he fought back. Shoving her off, she became frustrated. Trying again, she said, "No, it's okay. Fluttershy is going to help him! Give her room." He stopped struggling. I have to trust her. She's the only one that hasn't been hostile. "Fine..."

He scooted back, keeping is other weapon out of reach of the ponies. He realized he shouldn't worry; it was out of ammo. The one called Fluttershy walked over quickly and set the saddlebags down. "Oh dear, he's hurt bad. I can stop the bleeding and give him something for pain, but he won't last long. Twilight, we'll need to get..." She turned to Jones, beginning to wrap the bandages around the bullet wound. "You said his name is 'Rocky?'" He nodded. "We'll need to get Rocky to the hospital in Ponyville, fast."

Jones had lots of questions for the strange, passive ponies, but that would wait. All he cared about right now was getting Rocky somewhere safe and keeping him alive. Succumbing to the wounds unknown to him, Jones began to pass out and was unconscious before his head hit the dirt.

Epilouge

Nurse Redheart was sitting calmly at the reception desk in Ponyville Hospital. She looked at the clock. Hmm, almost midnight. Nothing exciting has happened. I think I'm going to go home for the night. She was getting ready to leave when a familiar group of ponies burst through the door carrying an unconscious dog and an... alien? Well, this is a new one... What could have happened?

Twilight ran up to the front desk. "I need you to help them. The dog is dying and the human might be too." Human? Where have I heard that before?

"Yes, of course. Just a moment." With that, Redheart ran through the pair of double doors to find doctors and a room.

Twilight was waiting, albeit not calmly, with the others in the room. The dog's bleeding had slowed, but not stopped and was now seeping through the bandages Fluttershy had put on. He was knocked out from the tranquilizers that she had given so that he wasn't in pain while they were getting them to the hospital. She didn't know how the human was doing.

Pinkie Pie's mane was at about half of its normal poofiness. "Oh, I hope they can save them. The human seems like he'd be a nice guy if he wasn't so... so... Twily, what's the right word?"

"Angry. Serious. Unconscious." Twilight thought that the human was going to die.

"Silly Twilight! I asked for one word."

Twilight was not in the mood for joking. Just then, Nurse Redheart came through the doors again, with a pair of doctors with stretchers in tow. "Yes, over there. The dog and the human." They loaded the animal and alien onto stretchers and started for the doors when she remember the smaller weapon the human had. "Wait a minute."

Confused, the doctors stopped while Twilight used her telekinesis to pull the gun from its holster and was careful not to put pressure on the lever. "Okay, go. I didn't want him to wake up and use it against anypony. He's very scared and was hiding in the Everfree for two months while other members of his species were hunting him down. I think we're the only ones that didn't attack him and he doesn't quite trust us."

Still confused, the doctors took the pair into the back and prepared to save them. "Twilight, if you and your friends want to go home, I don't think they'll be waking up tonight."

"No, Nurse Redheart. I'm going to stay here." She turned to the others and said, "Girls, if you want to go home, you can, but I'm waiting for them wake up."

The other girls looked at each other, not believing what they had heard. "Twilight, darling, if you're going to stay, then so are we." Rarity decided for the group.

Nurse Redheart spoke again. "Well... Oh, alright. You girls can sleep in the chairs if you want. I'm going to go home." One of the doctors came through the doors again. "Ma'ams? The alien-"

"Human," Twilight corrected.

"Right. The human is awake and asked specifically for 'the purple one.' I want to assume he meant you, Ms. Twilight. And hurry, it looks like he'll be unconscious again soon."

She looked at her friends. "A-alright. Lead the way, Doctor."

The doctor took her down the corridor past several doors where she either snoring or confused words. Ignoring them, Twilight found the doctor had stopped in front of a door labeled #21. "Go on in, he's in the bed on the right. Call me when he's out again."

She nodded in agreement and went into the room.

Jones had just woken up in a strange, white room. This has to be a hospital. Or a mental asylum. Oh God forbid it be the latter. There was another of the ponies Twilight had talked about, but he had a white lab coat. Either this is another nightmare or they really took me to the hospital. He moved to get up and pain shot through his entire body. Nope, not dreaming.

"Ah, good. You are awake. If I am not mistaken, you are great pain, yes?"

"What the fuck do you think? And where's my dog?"

The doctor was shocked at his profanity. "Oh... Uh- I'll take that as a 'yes.' And your dog is right here." He pulled back the curtain to reveal another hospital bed with an unconscious Rocky that had fresh, white bandages wrapped around the bullet wound.

"Good, thank you. Where the fu- Uh, where am I?"

"You are in the Ponyville Hospital. Twilight Sparkle and her friends rushed you and your dog in here and said that you were trapped in the Everfree Forest while other members of your species were hunting you down. I assume that is correct?"

They really did bring me here... "Yeah, it is. Can I see her? The purple one."

"You mean Twilight?" He nodded. "Yes, I believe they are. Give me a moment and I will fetch them."

"No, just her."

The doctor was confused but complied. "Okay, just give me a moment." He walked out the door, closing it.

Jones then heard two heart monitors beeping in synchronization. He looked and saw a heart monitor and an IV hooked up to Rocky, and an identical set up next to his bed. "Rocky? Are you okay?" The dog didn't answer, but by the steady beeping of the machine next to the dog, he knew the answer.

He heard talking outside the door. He reached for his gun, and realized it was no longer there. "Did they take my gun?"

"No, I did," a familiar voice spoke. "I didn't want you automatically assume the doctors were going to hurt you and you use your gun on them."

"Heh, that's a good thing then. I was just trying to get it when I heard you talking."

Twilight was standing in the doorway, looking as though Jones was actually one of life-long friends. "Why do you look like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look scared, worried, sad. Like it was one of your friends laying here instead of me and Rocky."

"It's just who I am. I worry about anypony that I know when they get hurt."

"Shut the door, please."

"Oh... okay." She prepared to walk out, but he stopped her. "No, don't leave. I want to speak to you privately."

"Oh... alright?" She shut the door and walked to his bed. "What is it?"

"Thank you for saving me and Rocky. You didn't have to, but you did. Explain to me... How did you know where I was?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you when you're feeling better." She began to walk out the door again. "Just one thing."

"What is it?"

"What's your name?" He told her without hesitation. "Henry Jones."

"Goodbye for now Henry. We'll talk tomorrow." Before he could speak again, the door was closed and steady beeping made up the only noise in the room.

Pinkie Pie was sitting in the waiting room with the other girls, still worried about the human and his dog. "Oh, I hope they're okay. Nopony's died from injuries since... since... A long time ago!"

"Sugarcube, you forget that they ain't ponies. They're a dog an' a human. Sure, they have feelings, same as us, but I will never for the life of me understand why Twilight decided to save them."

"I don't know AJ, but if they survive, that just means more parties!"

"Darling, you would have thrown more parties whether or not they had ever come to Equestria."

"You're right, Rarity." Her mane was still was still less poofy than normal, but the talk of parties was cheering her up slightly. Twilight came in at that moment with a look worried happiness. "What is it Twilight? Is he okay?"

"Yes, Pinkie, he's okay. It'll take him a while to get better and get used to everything, but he'll be fine."

"So, um, what did he want? If you don't mind telling us..."

"No, I don't mind Fluttershy. He wanted to know how I knew where he was. I told him he would have to wait until he was out of the hospital. He said his name was 'Henry Jones.'"

Rainbow Dash was the last to speak. "'Henry Jones? That's a weird name."

"Oh, come on, Dashie! We don't know what they're like. Don't judge him yet."

"Oh, whatever. I'm going home. See you guys later." Rainbow walked out of the hospital and flew off towards her home.

Henry Jones... Pinkie doesn't know what she's talking about. That's a weird name. Settling down on the stoop of her cloud home, Rainbow Dash opened the door and went inside. A familiar tortoise with a propeller strapped to his back flew in front of her.

"Hey Tank. I know, I've been gone all day, but I need sleep too. I haven't had any naps today." Tank seemed to understand and set down next his empty food bowl. "Oh, that's right. Sorry."

She fed Tank and tried to sleep, but couldn't. "Why the buck can't I sleep? I haven't slept all day and I'm not tired! What gives?" If this is because of the human, I am going to be mad. Eventually, trying to convince herself that it wasn't Twilight she was thinking about, she fell into a restless sleep.

Fluttershy insisted that she stay so that she could make sure Rocky was okay, but the doctor refused. He finally agreed after a reluctant use of "The Stare" from the quiet pony. She walked into the room and found Jones still awake, trying - but failing - to sleep.

When the door opened, she heard the human say, "Huh? Who's there?"

Fluttershy peeked in the door and said quietly, "It's just me Henry. I'm coming to see you and Rocky." She saw him relax. "Oh, good. I was afraid it was another doctor trying to get DNA from me."

"But why would they try to get your DNA?"

"Looking at me should explain it." He gestured to himself.

"Oh... right. Has Rocky been awake?"

"Not since you first tried to stop the bleeding. What was your name again?"

"Fluttershy."

"That explains your personality. Shy and quiet. Sometimes that's a good thing to have. Anyway, thank you for doing that. The doctor said he wouldn't have survived if you hadn't done what you did."

"Oh, it was nothing. I love helping innocent animals." The room got quiet and the human looked surprised. "What? Did I offend you? I'm sorry."

"No, no. You didn't offend me, it's just... I need you to keep a secret. Can you do that?"

"Um, I guess so..."

"Me and Rocky? We aren't exactly innocent."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not just a human, and he isn't just my dog. We were trained to kill others." Fluttershy looked horrified.

"B-but just in self defense, right? Right?"

Jones just looked down at the floor, guiltily.

"Oh... No, please tell me you're lying. Please, this isn't funny!"

"Fluttershy I'm not lying or trying to be funny. I just need to ask you something."

Her voice was just a squeak. "What?"

"Would you have saved Rocky if you knew we weren't innocent?" Fluttershy couldn't take it. She started crying and ran to the side of his bed. It was his turn to be horrified.

I'm an asshole. I just fucking made her cry. Jones you idiot! Oh, please don't let anyone hear this. Shit...

Fluttershy continued crying, and Jones tried to console her. "I'm sorry, Henry!" WHAT? Did she just say she was sorry? "I didn't mean to break down on you like this!"

"NO!" She recoiled. "I mean, no. Don't be sorry. It was me that made you cry. Please, just stop." She just buried her head into the sheets on his bed and continued crying, while Jones continued trying to calm her down. After an hour, she finally stopped.

"Hey, Fluttershy?"

*sniff* "Y-yeah?"

"If you want to sleep in here by Rocky, you can. If the doctors let you, I don't mind."

"Thank you, Henry, but I don't want to burden you."

What the hell is with her? Why does she keep apologizing and thinking she gets in the way? "No, I want you to stay. There's no one here to talk to and I haven't a calm conversation with anyone since before two months ago."

"R-really?"

"Yeah, really. If you want to talk, we can. I doubt I'm getting any sleep tonight anyway."

"Thank you, Henry. Very much. Goodnight." She walked over to the chair next to Rocky's bed and laid down, almost instantly falling asleep. "Goodnight, Fluttershy." He knew he wouldn't get an answer tonight.

If the others don't come find me, I think this world will be a nice change of pace...

Applejack was just returning home after the eventful night and found Big Macintosh and Granny Smith waiting for her. "What are ya'll still doin' up? Ya'll should be in bed, sleepin'.

Big Mac argued, "Nnope." A pony of few words, he was.

Granny Smith said, "Come now, Applejack. We just wanted to see how that new human friend of yours turned out. Where is he?"

"Oh, he's at the Ponyville Hospital with his dog and Fluttershy. She wanted to stay and make sure they was alright."

"She's such a sweet girl. Sometimes I wonder why you've never tried anythin'."

"GRANNY!"

"Oh, ho ho. I was just teasin' Applejack. I know you don't swing that way. 'Specially not with your friends."

*sigh* "Just, please don't do that in public. I don't know what the others might say." Applejack walked up the stairs to her room, irritated at Granny Smith. When they thought she was out of earshot, she heard Granny say, "Big Mac, I think I just struck a nerve."

"Eeyup."

Applejack went to bed angry and restless.

Luna was in her room, reading letters that had be sent for her the previous day. She sighed. Few were business related. The rest were either fan mail or idle death threats.

There was a knock at the door. "Yes? Come in." She decided to let her personal guards get some rest and trusted the castle guards to keep intruders out. Celestia walked in, holding a letter. "Sister, what are doing up? And pray tell, is so important that you had to wake up and come tell me?"

"It's a letter from Twilight. She says she successfully saved the human and his dog, but was originally met with a gun pointed in her face. She also says their names are Henry Jones and Rocky. I must say, those are odd names."

"Well, that is worth waking up and tell me. Thank you sister. Return to sleep and allow me to read the letter. There are few here worth reading."

The letter rolled up and hovered over to the table Luna was sitting at and Celestia yawned. "Goodnight, Lulu. I will see you again come morning."

"Goodnight sister." She hovered the letter in front of her face and read.

Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna,

I happily report that we have tracked down the human, his name is 'Henry Jones', and his dog, which is named Rocky. I believe he has been running from other members of his species for the two months he was here. It was just like the nightmare, except that I got there just in time. He was ready to end the dog's life, but when I got there, he was obviously more scared than I was. And I was the one with a dangerous weapon pointed in my face! Evidentially, we were the first species of any kind in the two months he was in the Everfree that was not hostile towards him. Fluttershy got there and saved the dog, and we got them to the Ponyville Hospital. The doctors say that they'll be fine, but she insisted that she stay with them in case something happened. I don't know how she convinced the doctors to let her stay, though I must admit that I fear she used 'The Stare.' If you wish to come down and see for yourself, he will be in the hospital with Rocky until further notice. If that is to change, I will send you another letter.

Your fellow princess,

Twilight Sparkle

P.S. This is Spike here. She says she will let him stay at the library until he is able to get his own place, but I am scared of him. I admit it, I'm scared of aliens. I'm just glad that the nightmares stopped. Thank you for whatever you said, Luna. It worked better than you probably hoped.

"Oh, dear, Twilight Sparkle. You have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into..."

Another Night, Another Nightmare

The bipedal creature was running once again, still carrying its bloodied tools, still wearing its blood-stained clothes, still with its dog companion running along, just behind the creature.

It looked very similar to Discord, and about the same height. It had very little hair on its body, other than its head and face; those were covered in long, unkempt brown hair. It arms ended in appendages similar to Spike's, but lacked claws. Its clothes were covered in dried blood; the creature had seen many battles and much death. Its clothes appeared to be a mixture of dark, earthen colors under the layer of dried blood. Its "tools" could only be described as loud and deadly, the only exception being a large, foot-long knife. That was covered in blood, like the biped's clothes. The loud tools were a mystery, but very scary.

The dog fared no better than its alien compatriot. Both were covered in blood, dried and fresh, but the dog seemed to have a slight limp in its front right leg. Both were covered in nicks, cuts, and burs from the forest they were running through, but the dog was the only one that seemed to have a concerning injury.

As they were running, loud explosions erupted into the otherwise quiet night. Small bursts of dust and chunks of dirt were ripped from the ground around the pair, but neither were hit by whatever was being thrown in their direction. The biped could see an opening in the forest, an escape. However, about ten yards became ten miles as the alien heard a loud yelp over the explosions that ripped through the air.

The dog fell and rolled on the ground, stopping suddenly as it hit a tree and lay still, whimpering quietly as blood began to pour from the hole in its previously injured shoulder. Only one sound was heard in the night, dominating the loud explosions, which were growing nearer, and then some. The biped screamed in horror and rage.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!" The biped dropped to one knee, blocking the dog from the shrapnel ripping through the darkness surrounding them, turned to face the source, lifted the largest tool, pointed it in the opposite direction it was running, and squeezed the small lever at the bottom. Loud explosions emanated from the thing, sending its own wave of the shrapnel into the forest. That was the only noise heard for about half a minute, until there was and audible click that came from the deadly thing. Then... silence.

The alien was shaking from fear and rage and panting shakily, staring into the darkness he had just launched the hail of shrapnel into. The creature then remembered the loyal companion it had just protected. He turned quickly and found the dog against the tree, still whimpering and bleeding. Still alive, but only just.

The biped looked mournfully at the animal. It had nothing it could use to repair the damage. The dog was dying, but it would a long painful death of bleeding out of the hole in its shoulder. The biped had no choice.

The alien sighed deeply, then began crying, which quickly became sobs that shook the biped as it produced a much smaller tool than the one it had just used, but obviously used for the same purpose. It sat by the dog, comforting it, petting it, as he pointed the deadly thing at the dying animal's head. It spoke to the dog, as if the animal could comprehend the biped's speech.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I'll see you later buddy, and we can play all you want, and we can get out of this horrible mess..." The alien choked out its final words to the animal between deep sobs and inhales for breath. "G... G-goodbye for now, buddy. I won't forget you..." With those words, the biped looked away and squeezed the lever. One last explosion erupted in the air. The rest of the night was quiet, except for the alien's mournful sobs.

Twilight's eyes shot open and she bolted upright in bed, covered in sweat despite the cold winter night. This was the worst nightmare by far since they had begun. She begun weeping in fear and sadness, as if the dog were her own. She heard a small creature rise and pad over to her bed. It was Spike, her number one assistant in the library in Ponyville.

She shook as the sobs rattled her body. The young dragon's attempts to comfort her weren't working. He sat and waited for a half hour until she finally was able to stop sobbing, tears still rolling down her face.

"Another nightmare, Twilight?"

Twilight spoke in a raspy voice, raw from her sobs. "That's an understatement Spike. It was the worst one yet."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Twilight always told Spike about the nightmares that woke them both in the night, and tonight was no exception. She didn't want to talk, but she certainly didn't want to return to that dream either.

"Sure, just let me get a drink first. My throat is raw."

"Sure thing, Twi'. Just say when you're ready."

Twilight repeated the happenings that occurred in the dream, to the last detail. Spike looked like he was on the verge of tears when she spoke of the dog's fate, but he controlled his emotions well. "That does sound like the worst one yet." His voice quivered, but didn't break.

"I hope we can figure out what's causing these things. It's certainly not Celestia or Luna, they both love you too much. Heck, even Discord isn't this cruel, reformed or not."

"You're right, Spike. It isn't anyone we know, but I think we should see Discord and the other princesses. They may have an idea of what's going on or who's causing it. Or better yet, how to fix it!" The lavender princess's optimism was returning, much to Spike's relief.

"That's good thinking, Twi'. We should definitely do that." He yawned and began walking back to his bed. "I'm going to get some more sleep. You should too, if you can. I'll see you again in the morning."

Twilight sighed and said goodnight to the lazy dragon. She looked out at Luna's moon and guessed it was about midnight. She had an idea of who she could talk to first, even in the middle of the night. A certain always-rhyming zebra that everypony had once feared.

A Not So Normal Day (Twilight: Part 1)

Twilight woke up at 5:30 in the morning, just like any other day. She looked out the window. Sure enough, Luna's moon was getting lower in the sky, preparing to make way for Celestia's sun. She sat in bed for a few minutes to wake up and think about the dream.

Those strange tools that alien had... They have to be some kind of weapons, and if there is more than one kind... That could be a problem. I know these dreams are telling me something...

"...but I just don't know what it is!" Twilight screamed in frustration, knowing Spike was already out of the house. "What could it mean? There is no logical or scientific explanation for the dreams. But then again, there was no explanation for Pinkie's Pinkie Sense. Oh well, I'm not going to figure this out on an empty stomach. Surely Spike left something for me before he left for Rarity's to hide in the bushes and- NO! No-no-no-no, not going to think about that! Little pervert..."

She walked down the stairs, hoping there was something downstairs so she wouldn't have to wait and go out for breakfast. Sure enough, Spike had left food and coffee, both of which were still slightly warm.

She levitated her small breakfast into the area that made up the living room and sat down on the sofa. After eating, she got up and started a fire in the small fireplace. She looked out the window pointed slightly upward, towards the sky, and guessed that it was about 6:00 in the morning, the sun just barely peeking over the horizon.

She levitated another book over to her, having finished her previous one the night before, and began reading. She couldn't concentrate, still thinking about what the series of dreams could mean. "Oh, well. I'll send a letter to the princesses and ask when Spike gets back from his... visit..."

About two hours later, a loud crash woke Twilight from a nap she didn't realize she'd been taking. Looking around, she saw Rainbow Dash sprawled out against a bookcase that had nearly toppled over on her, dazed and stuttering, trying to explain the broken window. "Twi-Twilight! I-I-I was ju-just practicing a new trick and I-"

"It's fine, Dash. I've gotten used to you crashing in here. C'mon, get up, you're buying the new window this time."

"As long as you aren't mad at me, I'm fine. My wing's a little banged up, but I'll be alright." She lifted her right wing, the same one she'd injured when Twilight got her to start reading, and winced.

"If you say so, Dash. Help me pick up these books and you can go window shopping."

Just then, Spike walked through the door. "Bad pun, Twi', even for you."

"Shut up, Spike. At least she doesn't go and spy on Rarity while she's in the shower!" Rainbow yelled.

Spike became flustered and stuttered defensively, "I-I do not s-spy on R-R-Rarity!"

She retorted, "Oh come on, man, even she's seen you hiding in the bushes with your hand out of sight!"

"ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled, angry. The pegasus and the baby dragon looked at her in shock; she was not exactly known for yelling at her friends. "Rainbow, go buy me a new window and get a couple of weather ponies to help you replace it. Spike, I need you to send a letter to the princesses for me."

Rainbow Dash skulked towards the door. "Alright, I'll see you later Twilight." She turned to Spike. "And if I catch you spying on me, you'll wish you hadn't met me."

Spike held his hands up defensively. "Hey, woah, I would never think of it, Rainbow. Although, I wouldn't mind-" The rest was cut off by his mouth being clamped shut with a faint purple aura. "Spike, be quiet. Rainbow, go."

Rainbow sighed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Twilight turned her agitation towards the dragon. "Spike! What was that about!?"

"It was nothing, really!"

"Sure, Spike, whatever you say. Go and wash your hands before you do anything else."

"Alright, alright. Jeez, Twi', what's gotten you so cranky?"

She just glared at him. "You are lucky I consider you my younger brother. Go!"

Spike ran upstairs, tripping over the pile of books still in the floor. Now alone, at least for a minute, Twilight said to herself, "As soon as I get that letter sent, I need to go find Rainbow Dash and apologize. Spike, hurry up! It's important!"

A Not So Normal Day (Twilight: Part 2)

Twilight was finally able to calm down after hearing what Luna knew about her nightmares (or really the human's nightmares). "S-so, you're saying that I was never sent to the hospital when I was a filly?"

"Indeed, Twilight. That experience never occurred. None of the nightmares experienced by you were your own."

"Well, that's good to know at least. What I don't understand is how this human came to Equestria."

"I am also unsure of this, Twilight Sparkle. It is a very mysterious magic,  but magic nevertheless. Perhaps if Star Swirl the Bearded were still around, he would be able to shed some light on how it works. He understood much of the parallel universe, space time continuum... stuff... better than both Celestia and myself."

"I'm sure of it, Luna, but... A soldier? That would explain the weapons. Only... you said save him or kill him, right? Those are the only two choices?"

"That is correct..."

"How would we approach him without causing to use his weapons?"

"I... I must apologize, Twilight Sparkle. That is unknown to me. I did not think that far ahead."

"Oh..."

Spike, probably having heard the crying stop, peeked into the room. "You alright, Twi'? You were worrying me."

"I'm alright, now, thanks to Princess Luna. She gave me the answer to 'my' nightmares."

"You're going to have to explain to me. I don't get it."

Luna and Twilight took turns attempting to explain to Spike, not knowing Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were downstairs, waiting. "I think I get the gist of it, Twi'. Human gets teleported to Equestria and you start having his nightmares. That doesn't make any sense, though."

Luna spoke. "I apologize again, Twilight and Spike, but I grow weary and must return to Canterlot. I have not had but two hours of sleep before I came to speak with you."

"Oh, there's no need to be sorry, Princess. I think me, Spike, and the girls can handle it from here."

"Very well, Twilight." *yawn* "Goodbye and good luck with the human. And Spike?"

"Yes?"

"Try not to think of Rarity when you are falling asleep. Your dreams are very... creative." Luna gave a sly smile and a small chuckle when Spike's cheeks grew red, trying to hide behind Twilight. With a final goodbye, Luna walked out onto the balcony and began her trip back to the castle.

"Luna, why can't you respect my privacy..." Spike whispered to himself. Having heard his muttering, Twilight retorted, "I don't know, why can't you respect Rarity's?"

"GAH! IT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION!" Spike angrily stomped over to his bed and crawled in. "Wake me up when you get done dealing with that human."

Twilight just sighed and went back downstairs to find two worried pegasai waiting. "Oh goodness, Twilight, are you okay? Why was Princess Luna here?"

"Fluttershy, Dash, could you go get the other girls? I want them all to be here when I tell you this."

After the story, Pinkie Pie was the first to speak. Being worried about Twilight's nightmares, this was one of the rare occasions that she was serious. "You're saying that a human soldier from a parallel universe of Equestria has somehow been teleported somewhere nearby and he has a dog?" Or, not as serious as she was at first.

"Yes, I suppose she is, darling. And weapons that make loud explosions without the fire and smoke? They must be very evolved and barbaric!" Rarity was the next speak.

"Woah woah woah, wait a minute. 'Shy, that must have been the explosion that we heard this morning!"

"What do I care about explosions and weapons? I just want to throw him and his dog a 'Welcome to Equestria' anda 'Welcome to Ponyville Party!'"

"Pinkie, would yah jus' stop worryin' about parties for a few minutes? We have the answer to solvin' Twilight's nightmares!" Applejack took her friends' problems a little too seriously, but her heart was in the right place.

"Oh, please Twilight, let's not let him die. He may be scary, but he has feelings, just like us. We should go help him. I-I mean, if you want to..." Fluttershy, scared and a pushover like always.

"Girls, I just don't know yet. Give me a while to think and I'll decide, okay?" The others agreed. "Thank you. You can go back to what you were doing; I'll get everypony when I make a decision."

They said their goodbye-for-nows and left. Twilight noticed that Rainbow Dash lingered a little longer than the others. She looked like she wanted to say something, but nothing was ever said. She just sighed and left, seeming sad and disappointed.

Hmm... Rarity the Gossip, you might actually be right for once...

A Decision (Savior)

Twilight sat for a few hours, until it was almost dark, and made her decision. He deserves a chance, whether or not he might use his weapons on us.

She set out to find the girls. After finding all of them, Twilight told them what she had decided. "C'mon, Twilight. You cain't be serious! If we try to save him, he might use those fancy weapons of his an' kill us!"

"I don't care, AJ. Fluttershy is right; He has feelings, just like us. He deserves a chance."

"B-but... Alright, fine. Let's go save 'im. But if one of us gets hurt, it's on you."

*sigh* "Fair enough. Come on, let's go human hunting. Fluttershy, grab some medical supplies. From what I've seen in the nightmares, we'll probably need them."

"Yes, but like what?"

"You know, bandages, pain killers, that kind of stuff."

"Right. Come back to my house and let me get them together. Then we can leave."

Hours later, it was well into the night, and they had not found a single sign of the human. Rarity spoke up. "Ugh, Twilight, it's no use! We'll never find that barbarian! Besides..." She held up a forehoof. "My hooves are getting dirty."

Twilight was losing her patience. "I don't care, Rarity! We're going to find him!" Her friends recoiled, but she didn't notice. Once again, Rainbow Dash was shocked. Two outbursts in one day... The nightmares must have gotten under her skin.

Another hour of searching turned up nothing. Twilight was ready to give up herself, when she heard a faint yell coming from deeper in the Everfree. That's weird. The only thing that could be yelling could be- Her thought was stopped by a long series of explosions.

"Girls! That's him, it's got to be! COME ON!"

She ran, faster than the others ever had imagined she could. They followed the explosions until they heard the one thing that Twilight hoped wouldn't have happened. Just like the nightmare, an animal yelped in pain. Then one long rage-filled yell, one unending explosion, then silence. No... No. No no no no no no... This can't happen! THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!

She knew what was coming next. Before the worst could happen, burst into the small clearing the soldier was sitting. "NO! STOP!" She was met with a very frightened, strange face, a dying dog in great pain... And the small weapon pointed right in her face.

A Decisicion (Executioner)

Twilight sat and thought. It was nearing the point when Luna would raise the moon, when she made her decision. As much as I hate to do it, I can't take any chances to let him free and hurt somepony in town. I have to kill him.

"Spike! I made my decision."

"And what would that be, your highness?" Spike was being sarcastic for being woken up again.

"I'm going to find him and kill him."

Spike grew serious instantly. "Twi', you can't really be serious!"

"No, I'm serious. I can't take and chances. Find the girls and tell them. Don't let them come look for me."

"Fine... Just be careful, okay?"

"I know, Spike. I know."

She had been searching for hours when she heard what she was hoping for. Explosions, yelling, and crying. She watched as the human mowed down the entities in the forest before turning to the animal. She was saddened, but she no longer had a choice. She'd made her decision, and there was no going back. She watched him do what she couldn't.

He put the weapon to the animals head, and played out like the nightmare. He said one more goodbye... And an explosion rang out. She sighed, but the human must have heard her. He turned quickly and saw her by a tree. "Stay away! Fucking stay away!"

She looked down at the ground and spoke only two words. "I'm sorry." Using her telekinesis, she ripped the weapon from his hand. He lurched after it, but it was too late. His own weapon was pointed at him. He waited and a single explosion ruined the silence once more. Twilight looked up and saw a red hole between the human's eyes. He was dead before he hit the ground. The weapon dropped to the ground and she lay down, and began crying.

That is how Spike found her when she came home.

Luna sat in the throne room beside Celestia that morning, waiting word from Twilight on how her mission went. A familiar fog drifted in front of her sister's face and a letter materialized. Celestia excitedly open the letter and began reading. Her expression went from happy to troubled to sad in the span of a minute. "Oh dear... Luna, you'll want to read this." She hovered the letter to the younger sister, where Luna grabbed it in her own magic. She was shocked by what she read.

Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna,

It's Spike. Twilight made her decision. The human is dead. She killed him. She kicked me out of her room at about midnight, crying, and she hasn't stopped since. I hope you're happy Luna. The human is gone from our world, and you don't have to deal with him yourself.

Don't bother responding,

Spike

Luna began to cry. "Oh, 'Tia... What have I done?"