Sapphire's Dream

BOOK I

Earth

Flying. Sapphire Dream was flying. She felt the wind flow through her mane as she soared through the sunny skies. Sapphire brushed past a few clouds feeling their cool damp surface. Birds flew next to her for a brief moment until she passed them by, for Sapphire was much faster than all the crows, sea gulls, and pigeons, they were all snails to her. Sapphire looked below her and all she could see was ocean, she preferred that actually... it felt alot like home. Sapphire could see something in the distance, she tried flying for it. It seemed so familiar... Something was off about this object in the distance... the closer Sapphire got to it the smaller it got. Something was wrong. Suddenly without a warning the blueish-green colored pony was pulled by an invisible force into the watery depths. Sapphire couldn't breathe, she was going to drown! Just before everything went black and after Sapphire breathed in a large amount of water she heard a voice softly whisper in her ear "wake up!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. She was in her bedroom and a bit confused about it. Sapphire always felt this way waking up from a nightmare she felt disoriented almost like this was another dream, no. This was her bedroom she was now becoming aware of her surroundings. The messy-maned pony looked around the room and saw her sky-blue colored ceiling, her orange-yellow walls, and her dark green carpet. Sapphire began to try and scratch her wings until she suddenly fell off the bed in panic. "MY WINGS!" she screamed in terror! Then Sapphire slowly realized what was happening and said out loud "oh..." in a disappointed voice. The blonde headed aqua colored pony sighed with sadness as she realized the dream had made her think she WAS a flying pony... it was so real... "That is so silly" Sapphire thought "Everypony knows there is no such thing as flying ponies!" She laughed for awhile at her silly mistake and got up off the floor with a grunt. Sapphire had a bit of trouble getting up from the position she fell in on the floor. She looked at the door, but then decided that she didn't want to leave yet. Sapphire felt almost as if she was running, she felt... tired. She decided to go get a drink from the kitchen. Sapphire walked on the tiles on the floor of her kitchen, they felt cold under her hooves. She slowly and zombie-like made her way to her fridge as she was still a bit drowsy. The thirsty pony opened it up and took a cold water pitcher out and put it on the wooden table to her right. Sapphire then made her way over to the cups and took one out. She was always told to get new cups but nostalgic Sapphire liked these old cups... She took the cup over to the table the pitcher was on. The drowsy pony's mouth was very dry and she definitely needed some water. Sapphire poured the water out of the pitcher into the glass, it made condensation on the outside of the cup that felt very cold when she picked the glass up with both her hooves. She promptly drank the cold glass of water and finished it. Feeling refreshed Sapphire put the glass into the sink and then made her way to the front door. Now being more awake and not as tired she was ready to go out for her morning stroll. Sapphire passed through her bedroom and before walking out her burgundy red front door she looked back with almost longing in her eyes, stared at the sky-blue ceiling, and then Sapphire Dream walked out the door.

Sapphire looked out and saw nothing but ocean which wasn't a surprise she did live on an island after all. Her island was very small and had a population of thirty-four ponies. Sapphire knew every single one of them of course, you have to when you live within 5 miles of everypony. Sapphire walked the streets for a little while just breathing the fresh air and seeing the sights she's seen so many times. This simple pony never gets tired of the same scenery oddly enough. Every morning Sapphire would do this: Walk around for about 30 minutes, buy some apples at the local stand, and then visit her brother at the farm. Something, today though, caught Sapphire's eye. Something that was in the back of her head like an idea... NO! A location! She shook off the idea and classified it as a mere product of her crazy dreaming mind. Sapphire continued  on her normal path saying "Hi!" to ponies she knew as she passed by them. Then she started to think, but she started to think very deeply, deep enough that all outside sounds were lowered down to a volume that was almost mute. Sapphire thought about what that object was in her dream and why she wanted it so much. She wondered why she felt compelled to go to this location, Why was the object there? Was it real? Are her dreams some sort of connection to reality? Bah! There's no way! the really needed to tell someone about this dream though it was driving her mad! Sapphire's thought process was interrupted by almost smashing face-first into a pole. She then decided that was enough walking for today and started to trot towards the apple stand. The scent of apple juice filled the air as she slowly approached the stand at which they sold various apple products. Sapphire walked up to the pony running the stand whom she knew very well. She approached the pony and said "Good morning Applecheer!" The pony responded with a slight smile on her face, "Good mornin' Sapphire! What can I getcha' today?" Sapphire wondered why she always asked that same question every single morning. Sapphire looked at the elderly pony and said "What I get every morning." Applecheer looks at Sapphire and chuckles lightly. "Oh, that's right i should've probably guessed it." Applecheer reaches into a drawer she has under the stand and pulls out a very shiny looking apple. "I saved it for ya' Sapphire. It's the best we got honey!" Applecheer said with a smile. Applecheer was a fairly old pony so when she smiled alot her face's wrinkles would show up alot clearer. Sapphire payed for the apple, thanked the pony, and bid her farewell. Now that Sapphire has her morning meal she can make her way towards her brother's farm. Her brother was actually a quite successful farmer, although he was the ONLY farmer on the island... As Sapphire walked she thought about how her brother was always there for her and that he protected her when their parents had- She didn't want to think about it. Her brother was a very special person to her. Everypony called Sapphire's brother "Big Ted" as a nickname for Theodore. As fitting to to Ted's nickname he is a rather large pony! Sapphire's brother is a brown pony with a blond colored mane. Theodore and Sapphire share the same eyes both of their eyes are as blue as the ocean that surrounded their tiny little island. Sapphire was thinking as she walked towards the field of golden wheat that shimmered in the sun on her brother's farm if she should tell him about her dream. She felt like she needed to tell someone, but who? Seeing her approaching Big Ted yelled "Sapphire! How are you this fine morning?" Sapphire was not a pony of many words, it would normally take another pony to talk to her first to start a conversation. "Im doing OK bro, how is the wheat coming along?" Ted shrugged as he always did when something wasn't really interesting him or wasn't exciting. "So... the same then?" Sapphire says in an unsure tone. They never were really small-talkers because of Sapphire's shyness and Ted's desire to get right to the point. Ted promptly says "Well Sapphire spit it out. What did you dream?" Sapphire would always come to meet her brother and discuss her crazy dreams and they would usually laugh about them, but this was on a whole other level..."Well..." Sapphire stuttered "There was a flying pony and-" She was quickly cut off by Ted yelling "WHAT?!" and then he immediately realized this was a bad move and lowered his volume to almost a whisper. "Sapphire, who is the only person who believes in flying ponies?" Ted asked condescendingly. Sapphire answers in a bit of a squeakish tone "Only Old Man Edgar believes in flying ponies..." Ted continues with his lecture "Good! Now what does everyone think of him?" Sapphire gulps and says "Everyone thinks he's insane" Ted then completes this "lesson" and calmly says "OK good so we don't want everyone thinking you're crazy too now, Right?" Sapphire ponders over this thought she never really thought he WAS CRAZY she just thought Edgar was a bit strange... "No brother..." Sapphire finally said with an almost obedient tone. Ted was actually kind of annoyed at his sister for mentioning this because this was very dangerous to mention around the other ponies so he said "Sapphire i think you should go home or something. I'll see you later" Sapphire didn't like when her brother got like this it sacrificed her relationship with him for her safety that she might not even need! She sighed and started to walk back home. Sapphire heard the several click-clacks of her hooves on he cobblestone path. She passed by Old Man Edgar who oddly was carrying leaves in his mouth, he ran by for Sapphire to only see his white blur of a body pass by. She was going to say "hi" to him, but the "crazy" pony ran passed her to quickly. Sapphire walked for awhile and then approached her house. By this time it was 2:00 PM. She opened the door and walked inside, but when Sapphire walked inside the house she felt a sudden feeling of drowsiness fall over her. Sapphire thought it to be odd to take a nap at this hour, but if you're tired, you're tired! She laid her head on the soft pillow as she climbed into her comfy bed and she starred up at the spinning fan above her which quickly turned to nothing but a blur.

Sapphire Dream woke up. She was coughing, but she was not just coughing. Sapphire was coughing up water and was laying face first on a sandy beach. The aqua colored pony was shaken, waterlogged, and confused. She managed to stumble to her feet and look at her surroundings. Sapphire looked around and saw the landscape was mountainous and forest-like. There was something that seemed odd about this landscape and it jumped out to her eyes as would sunlight. There was a cave that looked like it didn't or rather SHOULDN'T belong. Sapphire blinked rapidly as her eyes were still adjusting to light change and began to walk towards the strange cave. Sapphire almost felt as if she was drifting, not walking. Her hooves felt numb so she wasn't sure of the manner in which she was walking, but she was moving, that's something. Sapphire kept her eyes locked on the cave as if it was going to disappear if she looked away. She was at the cave in almost an unusual amount of time and Sapphire stood there in awe at this place, she didn't really know why. Sapphire looked at the cave, but she couldn't go any further her numb legs would not allow it. She starred at the cave almost waiting for something to happen, it was as if Sapphire knew... A voice came from the cave, it was a stern, deep, disguised, and distorted voice "Who approaches my dwelling?!" the voice grumbled, "Who believes they are worthy enough to approach me?!" Sapphire could only squeak the response of "I-It is I, Sapphire Dream!" The voice chuckled and said "Many ponies have come to me and many have simply run away in fear of me. Why do you not?" Sapphire Dream, brave...? This idea had never occurred to the bashful pony that she may actually be brave in areas that others were not. Sapphire a bit more confident answer the strange voice and said "Tell me, am I dreaming?" The strange voice laughed for awhile and then almost whispering, said "Reality is not a question of what IS real it is a question of what YOU THINK is real." Sapphire pleaded "Please! I don't know what to think! When I am in this place it feels so real the very air I breath and the wind in my mane. It IS real..." Sapphire continued, "When I 'wake up' from this place, that feels real! I just don't know what to think!" The voice was silent for brief moment surprised by the firmness of the little pony's voice. The voice muttered softly "Perhaps... nothing is real, but that is not my place to decide, it is yours." Sapphire pondered this statement and thought about how she had memories of the other reality and few of this one. Sapphire after considering this suggested "Perhaps this is the dream and you are real. I know that sounds crazy, but you seem wiser than I could ever be, so you can't be part of my own mind could you...?" The voice is silent for awhile now and Sapphire is about to remind the voice of their current conversation,  but the voice responds, "You're an observant one and you are indeed wise. Perhaps you are really the one. You will speak to the guardian! Go! NOW!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. The fan had stopped spinning and it was early in the evening now. She felt groggy she needed to get up and stretch her legs. Sapphire quickly hopped off her bed and did a big stretch that looked similar to the way a cat would stretch and she looked around because of her normal confusion of leaving one "reality" and entering another. After Sapphire came out of her groggy state she was almost shocked with the thoughts running through her mind! Did that dream mean something? Was it a dream? Who was the voice? Was it really me? How do I know what is real anymore? Although, one question stood out to Sapphire "Who is the Guardian?" Sapphire pondered this question for a moment and then it hit her, Edger had just been walking down the street the other day screaming "This is how you thank your guardian?!" She assumed he'd been drinking because his words were unclear and slurred. Could her dream really be telling her to see this crazy old pony?! Sapphire mulled this thought over and came to the conclusion that it wouldn't really do much harm just to simply talk to the man. Sapphire just sat on her bed to take all of this in and space out starring at her sky-blue ceiling. After this break from all the madness that was taking place in her mind she trotted out of her little cottage with the clip-clop noise of her hooves.

Sapphire knew where the old pony lived, she used to visit his house alot when she was a filly, before he was "crazy" She walked through town at around 6:00 PM and the whole town was ghostly. After about 5:30 PM all the ponies who ran the little carts went home to their families for dinner. Sapphire walked down the street feeling the eerie atmosphere. Of course as she approached the old pony's house the then realized the whole house was dark. "Where could he possibly be?" She thought, "Everyone is home right now!" Sapphire reluctantly approached the dark house as if afraid to knock on the door of this old house. Sapphire walked up to the door and after letting out a large "gulp" sound she knocked. She waited, no answer. Sapphire again knocked, no answer. She wondered where he could be if he wasn't at home. Sapphire, now annoyed, sighed and began to walk away from the door. The door as if it was part of a creepy film squeaked open and Sapphire heard a "hoarse" voice that said "Sapphire what a delight! Would you like to come in for tea little one?" His voice was very warm and caring although rough and scratchy you can perceive his warmth through his tone. Sapphire smiled at the old pony and responded "I was beginning to think you weren't home Edgar! I would love to come in, we haven't had a chat in so long now!" Sapphire then remembered his question, "Yes, tea would be very nice, thank you!" She smiled wide and he returned the favor. The old pony chuckled and said "I was beginning to think you've forgotten about me..." Sapphire heard this and was saddened because Edgar had always been like a grandfather to her. She didn't want to seem like she was avoiding or forgetting him, but he has been acting a bit weird lately and it worried Sapphire. "Of course i didn't forget about you! You are my friend" The lonely old Edgar with almost a tear in his eye gestured Sapphire to enter his home and she trotted on in.

Edgar was a very old pony his age was unknown to anypony and he was losing his hair. Edgar had a grey mane with orange colored fur. His face was very rough and rugged looking. Edgar looked like a strong pony in light of his age. Sapphire after getting her tea explain to Edgar all about her dreams and asked his opinion on them. Sapphire assumed he would think she was a nut, but on the contrary Edgar was quite normal about it. He said with a serious tone "So, you are unsure of who's voice this was?" Sapphire couldn't believe he didn't have her put away! I guess it takes a crazy pony to understand a crazy pony. Sapphire shook her head "no" as a response to the old pony's question and he asked a question that shocked Sapphire greatly. "Do you know why everyone, including you, think I'm crazy, Sapphire?" as Edgar said this Sapphire spit out her tea and replied "Edgar I don-" Edgar saw right through her charade and affirmed "Sapphire I'm not a child, though I am old don't treat me as incompetent! Do you know why, Sapphire? Well do you!?" Sapphire barely could believe this was happening, as he seemed fully aware and not crazy in slightest. "No" muttered Sapphire with a mousey tone. "It's time I told you a story dear Sapphire. You're going to want to hear it" Edgar said in a more calm tone, "Sit down dear girl." Sapphire sat and waited for the unbelievably mind-blowing story she was about to hear.

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Long ago there was once a world where many ponies roamed free, this world was called Equestria. You've never known a land mass any bigger than this one dear Sapphire, but what if I told you one existed that was one thousand times this island's size?! Ponies used to live in harmony with one another this golden age was overseen by four princesses Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance. All species of ponies lived together, these species included your "Flying Ponies" they were called Pegasi. There were four species of pony Crystal, Earth (like ourselves), Pegasi, and Unicorn. The Unicorns were wise and used great powers with their mind they liked to call "Magic" The Pegasi were a proud race and were usually loyal guards to the princesses, they possessed great agility and flying skills. The Earth ponies were a farming race and still are to some degree, who had almost super strength compared to the other races. The Crystal ponies were known for their proud empire and for their elegance. These proud races under the rule of the four princesses lived in a utopia, but one day that all changed. An evil race called the Changelings rose up and began turning ponies into their foul species and upsetting the balance of the races' population. The four princesses went to war with the Changeling queen, Chrysalis. Some say her heart is made of pure stone and that she wanted all life, other than her own species, destroyed. The Changelings were monsters whose appearance was as of a shadow. Changelings had many wholes in their legs as if they were a porous rock and they had fangs that rivaled even the great timber-wolves of old. Like insects they had buzzing wings and on their head sat a mangled mess for a horn that some say spit out pure evil. Their eyes were a bright blue but there was nothing light in their eyes other than the color if you stare into a Changeling's eyes all you see is death itself. Their skin was bare with no fur only ugly lizard-like skin and their manes were as fins on a fish. The Changelings overall goal was to feed on everypony's love for each other and when all the love is drained from a pony they put the poor soul into a pod-like cocoon and convert there victim into one of their own. This is why the Changelings had to be stopped, they were going to destroy all of Equestria and leave nopony left only Changelings. Forever. The powerful rulers, the princesses, would not let this happen! Equestria was at war. The Changelings advantage was that when one soldier fell on the enemy side, they gained a soldier. The great Equestrian war raged on for many years and the pony side never stood a chance. Everywhere loved ones were killing each other in fear that they were Changelings. Whole towns were burning and ponys' screams filled the air. The Equestrian army killed itself from the inside. The princesses foresaw this through their wisdom they made a fail-safe. The princesses gather together in a room with their armies captains which were titled "The Guardians" and the princesses explained the plan to them. Although the Guardians were saddened by their plan they knew it was the necessary action. The princesses were going to destroy Equestria! Each species of pony would gather in areas that would be protected by the princesses powers and each guardian would look after that species of pony. The princesses would then destroy everything, the Changelings, All the ponies, All the land, and Everything else on the planet other than the protected areas. This required alot of strength, so after doing this the princesses had to go into hibernation for one thousand years. This island is the remnant of a dead civilization, Sapphire. "How do I know this?" you might ask, the answer is simple. I am a descendant of one of the great guardians, my soul purpose is to protect the ponies of this island and i will give my life for them. This story was passed down along with the amount of time it has been since this great event. It has been one thousand years, Sapphire. Nothing is happening and I feared the princesses will never return, but then i found this old book passed down to all guardians. It says that a chosen pony will travel to all the islands of ponies, yes there are others Sapphire! The chosen pony will travel to these others and tell them the time is now and only when this pony reminds the ponies that this is not a simple legend will the princesses rise again! Sapphire i believe you are this chosen pony! If you can get everyone on our little island to believe again maybe, just maybe, we can reunite the races and bring peace to the land!

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"Now you see, Sapphire, why everyone thinks I'm crazy," The old pony softly explained "but that doesn't matter. The question is: What do you think about this? Do you believe me Sapphire? Sapphire?" Sapphire didn't know what to think, she knew it was true in her heart, but her brain refused to accept this fact. Sapphire stood there for a long time before managing to push a few words from her dry throat "I... need... to go... home n-now... Have a n-nice day........." Sapphire, who was now shaking, got up from her chair and began to make her way towards the door. Edgar called out to her, but she didn't hear what the pony said and Sapphire just walked out of the door.

Sapphire thought deeply about what she had just heard. Was this true? Was there a whole civilization everyone forgot? She pondered this as she walked through the cold night and breathed in the night breeze. This night seemed almost pure, like this night was in such a state of peace it seemed to be a "pure" night. Sapphire wondered why this night was different than any other, she wondered if it was just her or if the night was actually as peaceful as it seemed. Sapphire was about half way home now and she was still baffled by the story she had heard. She wondered if she really was that important pony Edgar had talked about and why she was this important, why her? Sapphire looked up at the shinning moon it almost glistened with light. Sapphire then sighed and felt a bit more calm as she saw a little sparkle from the moon. How could Sapphire possibly feel anxious on a night like this, it was as if every creature on the island had just stopped making a sound on this very night. Sapphire thought about how terrifying these "Changeling" creatures must've looked, if they were real. A single drop of rain fell from the sky and Sapphire knew this signified more rain was going to fall so it made her pick up the pace at which she was walking. Sapphire turned the corner of her street and walked to her home and stepped inside. She promptly shut the door as it had just started to rain a significant amount. Sapphire let out a long sigh as her mind is overloaded with information, she needed to sleep on it.

Sapphire was shocked awake! She was very disoriented and didn't even remember going to sleep. Sapphire looked at her surroundings, She was at the cave. Sapphire called out for the voice, but she received no answer. She looked back and began to walk towards the town below, but then she stopped dead in her tracks. Sapphire couldn't believe her eyes, she knew she had to be dreaming, but this sight still made her filled with fear. The town was connected to a large land mass, but more importantly, it was burning. Sapphire after shaking off her fear ran down the mountain the cave was located on while screaming for her brother. In Sapphire's frantic scramble she tripped and tumbled down the mountain. She landed on her head on a large rock when she finally tumbled to the bottom of the mountain. The little pony's ears rang as she felt a liquid she assumed was blood run down her head and through her mane. Just before losing consciousness Sapphire looked at her burning hometown, which now looked fuzzy and cried softly as she heard "Look what we have here!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. Sapphire was in the middle of town but was barely awake and couldn't see that well, she could hear just fine though. Sapphire heard her brother Ted's voice, "So, Sapphire you're awake" The confused pony answered "Y-yes w-what happened big brother" Ted in a monotone voice murmured "Everypony died..." Sapphire jumps up, but is met by a series of dizzy feelings and cries out "NO! PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT!" Ted sighs and says "Im afraid it's true Sapphire, but don't worry they will be avenged..." Sapphire doesn't really acknowledge this statement and is frantic to ask "How did this happen?!" Her brother looks into her eyes and says "Where have you been? The Changelings of course!" Sapphire is panicked by this sentence and her vision starts to return to her, she is in the middle of a burnt town. Sapphire is overcome with grief and shock, she blurts out the first thought that comes to mind in her panic "What did you mean when you said 'They will be avenged'?" Ted turned and look at Sapphire with hate in his eyes and spoke the most horrifying words Sapphire has ever heard in her life "I shall avenge them by killing you, you foul creature!" Sapphire trembled as he walked closer to her in an aggressive way and she manage to cry through the tears she now was shedding "WHY?! Why Ted?! What does this accomplish" Ted says with utter disgust "Just look at yourself you hideous thing!" Sapphire looks at her back and to her horror, there sat a pair of insect-like tattered wings. "No brother please I'm not a Changeling! You must know it! Look into my eyes!" Sapphire yells pleadingly. Ted just continues to move toward her drawing his hooves ready to start swinging and says "I won't be hypnotized by your evil gaze! They all say they aren't Changelings! They're all dirty LIARS!" Ted stomps his hoof on the ground which results in a cringe from Sapphire, she cannot say anymore and begins to cry. Sapphire's tears did not deter Ted from standing over her ready to attack. Ted lifted his front his front hooves up and then waited for a response from the "Changeling" under his massive hooves. "Please, Teddy Bear don't do this! I'm your sister who loves you very much and not a monster!" Sapphire pleaded "Killing me will avenge nothing and you'll just be alone in our ruined town." Ted looks away for a moment as if punched in the face with her words and a tear falls from his eye. This mood was short lived though, Ted regained his serious aggressive mood and prepared to stomp down on Sapphire. "Teddy! NO!" Sapphire screamed as his hooves came down and crushed her.

Sapphire Dream woke up. Sapphire woke up screaming and crying, as far as she was concerned she had been killed by her brother just now. Sapphire then realized she was back at the cave, as she looked around and blinked the tears from her eyes she became calmer. Still shaken by what had just occurred Sapphire was still crying until she heard a soft voice come from the cave "Shhhh child you are safe now, everything you just experienced was all imaginary." Sapphire was relieved by this fact and let out a sigh, but then suddenly became wrathful "IS THIS YOUR DOING?! Did you make me dream this you cruel disembodied voiced coward!" The voice is calm and smooth when it answers "Yes." Sapphire responded to its calmness with her own and she said "I'm sorry I yelled at you, but just tell me why? Why did you make me dream this? What was it's purpose?" The voice seemed caring and soft when it whispered to Sapphire "I'm very sorry, but you didn't believe the old pony's story and the memory of those ponies should live" The voice continues to speak as Sapphire listened with amazement. The voice is talking about the story she heard "Sapphire, Equestria was real and many lives were lost. What you felt, before when your brother turned on you, was what so many ponies felt during that time. So many ponies were betrayed by their loved ones... So many felt like you did. Now do you see why they must be remembered?" Sapphire was angry that she was forced to experience this pain, but she was more angry that so many others experienced this, so she agreed with the voice. "I understand why they must be remembered!" Sapphire responded with an affirmative tone "I believe in Edgar's story, the story of the old civilization, the Changelings, the flying ponies, all of it!" The voice returned to it's normal tone and bellowed "It's Good to hear that! I think it's time for us to meet face-to-face." Sapphire was surprised by this and wondered how or if such a thing was possible and if she was really going to see the voice's face. The voice continued to speak and say "I've left you a map to lead you to me once you wake up" Sapphire was confused by this and said "I thought this was reality and if it isn't then how are you going to leave me -" Sapphire's questions were cut short by whisper in her ear, it was the voice "Sapphire, wake up!"

Sapphire Dream did just that. She gasped as she was surprised by the sudden transition from her dream brought about by a whispers from the mysterious voice. She was under the soft blanket and yawned a bit once she got more relaxed. It was morning now, the warm sunlight peaked through her curtains and shined on her forehead. She threw the silk blanket off of her body and heard a strange noise occur as a result, it almost sounded like a paper dropping to the floor. Sapphire gasped as she saw a map on the floor of her bedroom! Had it been put there in her sleep? No, that couldn't be, the doors and windows were locked. Perhaps she sleep-walked and picked it up, but she had no history of sleep walking. Sapphire then thought about the fact that she didn't remember how or when she fell asleep, she thought about if somehow she had unconsciously gone somewhere to get this paper and then gone to sleep with it in her lap. At this point Sapphire realized that HOW the paper got there wasn't the question, but the question was what was on the paper. Sapphire hopped down off her bed to hit the hard wood floor and bent down to pick the map up in her mouth. She opened it up and laid it out on the bed. What Sapphire saw filled her with glee, but at the same time, fear. Sapphire looked at this map and saw exactly where it lead her, it lead her to the cave, the cave in which the voice lived. The voice that lived in her dreams. Sapphire thought of the terrain that was on the mountain and what a rough journey it would be. Sapphire soon came to the conclusion that she needed someone to accompany her on her journey, although there is one problem. The only ponies that know about this are Ted and Edgar, Edgar is too old to climb mountains, but Ted thinks she is a nut case. Sapphire came to the conclusion that no matter if her brother thought she was a nut case or not if he loved her, he would help her. Sapphire needed to pack some things for the trip, so she walked towards her closet to retrieve her backpack. Sapphire quickly threw together some things from her mess of a pantry, there was no time to delay of course! Sapphire realized there was a sense of urgency needed in her action. After Sapphire had packed a water jug and an arms-full of food she ran towards the door with the map in hand. Sapphire felt a sort of worry shower over her like she was about to go through a large challenge, though not physical, mental. Sapphire felt as if her will was going to be tested the lengths she would go to benefit pony kind. Sapphire quickly shook this feeling off and thought "It's simply a hike to a cave," but she knew this wasn't the case. This is where Sapphire Dream's story begins with a step out of her front door.

Sapphire Dream ran down her small town's path with a clip-clop sound, she wanted to find her brother. Sapphire knew just where to find him, she would find her brother in his usual place in the morning, but she was not going to follow her usual routine. Sapphire unlike the day before, and all other days before that passed the apple stand from which she got her breakfast. Applecheer looked at Sapphire very confused, but didn't call out to her because somewhere in Applecheer's heart she knew that Sapphire had no time to chat. Sapphire ran passed Edgar's house and contemplated stopping to chat, but she thought this would only make Edgar want to join in her venture and he was too old for climbing the mountain. Sapphire saw the golden fields in front of her, but today the field looked grey and somewhat gloomy. Perhaps the field looked this way because of her impending journey or because it seemed so much less amazing in comparison to the truths that have been revealed to her, Sapphire didn't know and didn't really care now. Ted noticed the rush of Sapphire this morning by hearing her running towards him so he naturally turns his head to see what this commotion is all about. At the very moment of Ted turning his head Sapphire tripped over her hooves and fell flat on her face. Ted quickly ran over to the injured Sapphire, offered her his hoof, and said "Sapphire, are you okay?" Sapphire looked up and saw his hoof in front of her face as he towered over her, this sight made Sapphire cringe. Sapphire didn't realize after her dream that her brothers face would scare her so much! She had to compose herself and take a few deep breaths so she could get up, if she acted scared of Ted he would think she was crazy for sure! Sapphire said "No, it's fine I just tripped is all." Ted looked at her and knew something was wrong, but he blew it off for now. Ted remembered what he wanted to ask Sapphire before she clumsily fell to the ground "So Sapphire, why were you running anyway?" Sapphire realizes this may be a long, difficult talk so she gestures towards a nearby bench and both ponies sit on it. Sapphire looks into her brothers eyes and shoots him a serious look, even though she is still shaken by the dream to the point that looking in his eyes is painful. Ted realizes she is about to say something important and gives Sapphire his full attention. Sapphire just spits out what the point of this conversation is, although she didn't mean to do this. She quickly blurts out "Big brother can you travel into the mountains with me?" Ted with a very shocked look on his face responds "Why would you want to go into the mountains?! It is dangerous there!" Sapphire sighs and mumbles "I need to go because of something i've seen in my dreams..." Ted quickly becomes angry with Sapphire and yells "You want us both to risk both of OUR lives for YOUR stupid dreams?!" Sapphire looks at her brother with determination in her eyes and asserted "Yes." Ted was a bit calmed by her sense of seriousness, but was still frustrated with his little sister. Ted said "You can't go to some dangerous area just because you dreamed it Sapphire! Can you be anymore reckless!?" Sapphire has had enough of her brother telling her what's right and wrong and what to do and what not to do she retorted "Too reckless?! Ted we NEVER do anything remotely reckless, EVER! We sit here on our sad little flanks and expect to live our lives on this claustrophobic DUMP! What if I told you that there used to be a whole world like Edgar always has said, but all of you have just been too THICK to understand his wisdom!? There ARE other ponies out there and the time is now to find them and expand this sad little island we call home! Theodore we have all been fooled into thinking THIS is life! THIS! IS! A! JOKE! I would rather die believing in something more than believing this is all life has to offer. If little Teddy would like to join his sis on her journey that's great, but I WILL go to the mountain with or WITHOUT you Ted!" Ted was awestruck by Sapphire aggressive tone and frankly so was she. Sapphire was normally a very mellow, shy pony. Ted now knew that this was important to her if she acted and spoke in such a way, so Ted said "W-well Sapphire i-if it means this much to you then i'll go with you..." Ted let's out a large defeated sigh "BUT only to show you that whatever you're looking for is just imaginary!" Sapphire gave Ted a glance of disappointment, but realized that she did get him to come with her, so she should count her blessings. Sapphire shoots Ted a little smirk signifying her victory and gestures for him to follow her. Sapphire began to walk across town, with Ted not far behind, heading towards the mountains.

"How did I get roped into this..." Ted asked himself as he found himself climbing the large mountain that was outside of their little town. Sapphire giggled a little bit at her brother's annoyed state. They both were climbing the mountain almost as mountain goats would climb: Jumping from rock to rock. Ted got an eerie feeling as he climbed this mountain almost as if there was something great and unknown at the top of this mountain, of course he wouldn't admit it to Sapphire... Sapphire thought about her dreams, what did they all mean? What would she find here? Sapphire had a feeling that these dreams would change everything. Ted was thinking about Sapphire and her dreams too, but in a different way... Ted was thinking about how to make Sapphire's dreams stop. Ted wanted Sapphire to be a normal pony so she could stop worrying herself over these stupid dreams, but this time Ted wasn't sure they were so silly anymore.

Sapphire and Big Ted finally made it to the top of the mountain and they sat down to rest. Ted looked at Sapphire and spoke softly to her and said “you see our beautiful town down their Sapphire?” Sapphire knew he was trying to pull something... “you see how it is so peaceful” Sapphire responded “yeah...” Ted continued with his little speech “isn't it so much nicer down there in the warm peaceful little town we call home than this cold dirty mountain top?” Ted was very smooth when he tried to convince someone to do something, but Sapphire was his sister and she was much too aware of his tricks to fall for that. “Nice try Teddy, but we're still going, we've come too far to stop now!” Sapphire said in an almost amused voice. Ted said something under his breath, most likely insulting her in some way. Sapphire didn't care though she was here and she was a few steps away from the cave. Sapphire now ready to face whatever was in that cave turned around and start to trot towards the cave. Each step felt like an eternity Sapphire was so afraid as confident as she was, she didn't know for sure if she wasn't just crazy and she hoped she wasn't crazy. Sapphire approached the cave's entrance, black as night. Sapphire was unable to see inside, no figure, no pony, and no magical talking beasts. Sapphire unable to see, of course did not want to enter the cave with no light, so Sapphire screamed as loud as her little lungs would allow her to “WELL?! I'm here! What do you want me to do now? I've followed your map right to this cave that has been in my dreams! I don't know how it's possible but I'm at the exact cave! So, SHOW YOURSELF!” Sapphire was met with silence. Sapphire now annoyed yells “So, you give me a map and I travel all this way for you to be shy now? I'm ready to speak 'oh mysterious voice'!” Sapphire peered into this dark joy devouring whole as it did just that. Sapphire now becoming desperate to find out she wasn't insane picks up a rock and throws it into the cave and cries out “Please! You have to be real! You are real! Stop playing with me!!!! Please...” Ted sighs and talks to Sapphire in an almost pitiful voice “Come on sis let's go home” Sapphire with tears running down her face begins to turn around to go back to her small village. Sapphire than hears a voice so quiet that she almost didn't hear it “will you give up that easy child?” Sapphire shoots her head around so fast she thought she was going to spin her head right off her neck! The voice she heard was the voice from her dreams and now it spoke with clarity “Sapphire Dream! We meet at last!”

Sapphire was so overcome with joy she squealed and hugged her brother who was dumbfounded by this voice's existence to even notice Sapphire's warm hug. The voice, when it spoke, seemed somewhat closer to Sapphire in a way, even though in her dream and in real life the voice was the same distance from her. This voice continued to speak “We are almost at a very important part of history! Sapphire, I will emerge from my cave!” Sapphire was awestricken she was wondering in her mind what this voice could possible look like. Sapphire waited and after a very long awkward silence Sapphire reluctantly asked “Well... are you coming out?” The voice answered as if it had made itself clear already “NO! Sapphire this is the point in which your skills are needed.” Only now just grasping that this situation was real Ted interrupted “And what skill would that be?” The voice had no patience for this thickheaded pony and promptly answer his question with “SILENCE! You had no faith in me and yet you believe you have the right to address me in such a casual manner?! I deal only with the great Sapphire Dream!” Sapphire paused to think about what the voice had just called her, “The Great” Sapphire had never thought of herself above average, let alone great. Sapphire looked at her brother who was now angry from being talked to in such a way and nodded a nod of which meaning “It's okay I'll handle this” Sapphire now wanting to see what her task was from the great voice asked it “So, what do wish me to do?” The voice took it's sweet old time in responding and then finally said “I need believers...” in a rather soft and more caring tone than the deep rough voice it had been using. Sapphire could barely make it out, but this time when the voice spoke she could hear what she thought to be a female voice. Sapphire when realizing this asked “You're a girl?!” The voice responded in the loud, rough voice that it had been using “Yes, but it matters not! What matters currently is what I need from you Sapphire Dream!” The voice calmed down a slight amount and made it perfectly clear that it was indeed a female speaking “Sapphire I gain power through the faith of other ponies, to exit this cave I need a lot of power. You must get the townsponies to believe in my existence, then you must bring them here. After you do this I will reveal myself and all will be well.” Sapphire thought about the last few words the voice had said and asked “What do you mean 'all will be well'?” The voice did not wish to answer this question and gave no answer other than “All will be explained in time young one now go!” Sapphire screams “But wait! I have so many questions to ask you!” The voice responded with nothing, but “Bring your little town here Sapphire Dream! Farewell!” A puff of smoke is seen from the cave and silence follows.

As Sapphire Dream and her brother walk down the mountain her brother is unsure of what the proper action to take is. Ted thinks about what to do from this point on and tells Sapphire his plan “Sapphire you don't honestly think we should just gather up the whole town up there?” Sapphire looks at him with a determined look that he's seen few times in his life and nods. Ted insisted “Sapphire, nopony will agree to this and if you think so you must be crazy!” Sapphire look at her brother with an almost disappointed look in her eyes and said “perhaps I am crazy brother, but i'd rather be crazy than hopeless and blind like you.” Ted thought about this for a moment and realized it was, in a way, true. Ted had always not wanted any life outside this town, was that wrong of him to want that? Was it natural? Ted would never admit his doubts to Sapphire though. Sapphire with an almost commanding tone says “Okay now here's the plan: Teddy you will go get a third of the ponies to come to the mountain in any way you can, I will go get Edgar and tell him to do the same, and finally I will get a third off the ponies to come up to the mountain. That leaves eleven ponies for each of us and thirty-three total.” Ted sarcastically says “Gee sis I didn't know you were you a math wiz ha ha!” Sapphire chuckled a bit as she knew that she wasn't really a math wiz and had no idea how she had just calculated that. Sapphire was determined to have this mission completed and immediately wanted to send Ted on his way. “Teddy you go and get people here, okay?” said Sapphire. Ted was a bit agitated by his little sister giving him orders, but regardless he responded “Okay, I'll do that...” Sapphire quickly made her way to Edgar's house because he was a crucial part of their plan and Sapphire wanted to make sure everypony would never call him crazy again. Sapphire ran across town and approached his door, she knocked. Sapphire knocked four times and got no answer, but then to her surprise the door slowly swung open it had been open... Sapphire reluctantly walked into the house, there was an eerie atmosphere in it. Sapphire called out “Edgar? Are you here? Hello?” She got in response a low moaning sound from the other room, she quickly rushed in to see Edgar lying on the bed. Edgar was not looking good, she yelled “Edgar! What's wrong!” and then Edgar passed out.

“Edgar wake up!” The old pony could barely hear her. Sapphire stood there with a concerned look on her face and asked “what happened?!” she received no answer, “Edgar?” Edgar had an almost disappointed look on his face as he look at at empty bottle of alcohol. Sapphire yelled “You passed out from drinking?! You're too old to be drinking that much! You could hurt yourself Edgar!” Edgar slowly got off of the floor where he had ended up after passing out. “I assure you Sapphire, I'm fine” Edgar says reassuringly, but Sapphire knows better than that and responds “Edgar you're not fine, what's wrong?” Edgar begins to cry “Sapphire, I am old and a fool, no one ever listened to me! I'm beginning to think I am a fool!” Sapphire looked into Edgar's eyes and warmly smiled “Edgar you're not crazy, I know it! You remember that voice I told you about? The one in my dream?” Edgar wipes away some tears “Yes I remember that Sapphire, what of it?” Sapphire looked at this pony that was like a grandfather to her and said something that made him happier than he's been in many years: “I saw the cave it is real and you know what?” Edgar's ears perked up “What's that Sapphire?” Sapphire saw she had his attention and then said “If we gather all the townsponies at the cave the voice will reveal herself! She exists Edgar, we're not crazy! If you help me gather the townsponies we will know what to do next, this voice knows everything!” Edgar sat there in amazement that this moment had finally come and he quickly stood in a noble stance and asked affirmatively “How many ponies do I need to get?!”

Sapphire asked Edgar “Are you sure you're okay?” Edgar nodded in a very serious matter and said “I have something to live the rest of my few days for! How many?” Sapphire answered Edgar “You have to convince eleven ponies to walk up to the mountain or at least get them in the center of town!” Edgar in his guardian attitude said “Consider it done!” Edgar was about run out the door when Sapphire yelled “Edgar!” Edgar turned around “Be careful...” Edgar nodded and walked out into the afternoon sunlight.

Sapphire had done her job and gathered ponies in the center of town with a series of silly lies and it seemed as if Edgar and Teddy had done the same. Everypony seemed confused on why exactly they were at this place with everypony in town. As Sapphire attempted to reach Ted and Edgar who were on the other side of the crowd trying to clam everypony down a certain pony shouted “Hey Dream! Why are we here exactly?” He had a very agitated tone to his voice. Sapphire knew it had to be done, she started to make her way to the highest point of the land in that area as everypony watched in silence as she made her short journey there. Sapphire cleared her throat as she was about to utter some of the most difficult words she's ever spoken. Sapphire gave her speech...

Everypony, do you find it even a little odd we are on such a tiny island with nopony else? I do! I question why we are here, like we should have done years ago! I tell you this is not all life has to offer for us! There is so much out there... we just need to open our dang eyes and see it! Ponies, I tell you today we will not be left in the dark, left to die without questioning our own existence. That is what we, as pony-kind, do! We question things that may not dare be questioned! How did we get here, hm? No more will we be kept wondering and I tell you that you have all blinded yourselves. Edgar, the pony you all thought to be mad is the wisest of us all because he knows why we are here and why we must leave. Judging by the gasps from the crowd I'm guessing you all do not want to leave our home, well I tell you there is good reason! I have spoken to one that knows much more about our past and can show us who we are. She lives on this mountain! I believe she lived in the time when there was a great land-mass called Equestria! I tell you ponies of the island let us expand and see what we are truly capable of! Let's go and discover through this mysterious pony what we should do from here! All I know for sure is after this day ponies will never be the same ever again!!!!! Follow me!

The crowd is silent for a very long time, Sapphire is afraid that she was too outrageous with her speech, but regardless the townsponies go wild and stomp their hooves! Sapphire says again “Follow me!” and Edgar begins to sob tears of joy as ponies hug him and apologize for being so mean to him as they pass by. All the ponies are following Sapphire except Ted who takes a few minutes before finally following Sapphire reluctantly with a grunt.

As the group was approaching the top of the mountain Edgar walked over to Sapphire. Edgar almost not believing this was real said “I hope you're sure about this...” Sapphire turned to Edgar and said “I'm very sure, this is too real to be some crazy legend nonsense!” Edgar nodded as he thought the same... The group was finally at the top of the mountain just starting to settle in and Sapphire walked up to the front of the cave and looked out into the distance. Sapphire saw the bids soaring through the sky above and she looked with the same longing in her eyes as when she look up at her sky blue ceiling, but it was different this time... The birds seemed less... distant, in a way. Sapphire's ears twitched as the cool wind blew past them. Sapphire felt quite clam atop this mountain and she took a deep breath in and then out, the air was crisp on the high mountain top because of it's elevation. Sapphire was barely able to hear the other ponies through her serenity until, one the ponies shouted very loud. “I thought we were up here to get some answers!” Screamed the enraged pony and another jumped into his rant “Yeah! Where is this so called 'mystery pony' Is she coming or what?” Sapphire nervously said “I'm sure she is just waiting for all to be quiet, that's all” More and more ponies began to throw out their “opinions” on the situation until, one pony yelled words that cut Sapphire's heart in shreds, “You're just a crazy little girl! Let's go everypony!” All the ponies started to leave and Sapphire became desperate and screamed “Wait! Come back! I'm not crazy!” Sapphire began to think she was crazy as she yelled out “I'm not crazy! I'm not crazy!” This yells turned into soft whispers that unaccompanied tears “I'm not crazy... I'm not crazy...” Ted came to comfort Sapphire almost relived the voice didn't appear to her this time, he said “Come on Sapphire... Let's go home...” Sapphire sniffled and began to walk weakly back down the mountain. Almost as if it was the last possible second a voice came from the cave “FOOOAAAALS!” All the ponies turned and witnessed a large blue blur shoot from the cave. The blur landed in the spot Sapphire had been previously standing and somehow the cycle of night and day sped up so the moon stood right behind this mysterious figure. As the moonlight grew brighter a proper description could be made Sapphire looked as a large navy blue pony with a horn and wings stood proudly and strongly on this elevated spot. The pony's mane was as the motions of the very universe flowing infinitely. Sapphire looked at Edgar who quickly fell to his knees. The powerful pony shouted in an equally powerful voice “YOU FOALS! BOW BEFORE THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!!!!!”

END OF CHAPTER 1

EARTH