With Tired Eyes We Dream

The room fell silent as Twilight and Rainbow raised from the cool marble floor. Celestia had completed the spell, but nothing seemed to have changed. Funny enough, the only thing different was the fact that Celestia had vanished. Was this the dream realm? Cautiously the two mares began examining the room when a loud thunderous voice overcame them.

“A warm welcome to you Princess Twilight Sparkle, what brings you and the rainbow one to the realm of dreams.” The two mares froze instantly as they watch the princess of the night manifest behind Celestia's throne. The walls rippled and flexed as they transformed before their eyes. What was once castle walls was now a star filled backdrop of silvers and blues. Luna's wings gracefully folded to her sides as she landed in front of the two stunned ponies.

“Princess Luna, your okay, but Celestia said you were in trouble.” Twilight's face tilted and contorted as her mind tried to comprehend what was going on. Sure she was happy to see Luna safe, but Celestia wasn't the type of pony to overreact.

“No more trouble than I am usually in. Why would my sister think I was in trouble?” Luna stepped forward as her mane flowed with the world around it.

“Well you see. Princess Celestia had a really bad nightmare, and when she woke up all of her instincts told her that you had been lost somewhere in this place.” Rainbow Dash hovered just above Twilight trying not to stray too far from the group. Dash might be the best flyer in all of Equestria, but she did not want to get swept up into the mystery of this world.
“I assure you both I am in no danger. As for my sister's nightmare it must have simply been just a bad dream.”

“Well that was the shortest adventure ever. I guess we'll have to go home now.” Rainbow's excitement slowly deflated as she lowered to the ground. Looking at her hooves she kicked and scratched at what looked like a blue cloud below her.

“I see no reason for you to have to leave so soon. Why don't you allow me to personally show you my domain.” Luna turned away from the pair of ponies and spread her wings. Off in the distance a single beam of light broke the darkness. Then in a moment of awe the light separated into hundreds of screens each displaying another pony's dreams. Twilight instantly recalled this plane of existence for it was the same one that she was brought to for her ascension into an alicorn. Both mares stood in awe as the images dance around the room. A grin crept over Luna's face as she watched her guest become mesmerized by this world. “Come my friends, for the fun will be doubled.”

“Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh. That was so awesome.” Dash's front hooves pressed tightly to her face. With an explosion of excitement she took to the air. Completing a loop she gently returned to a hover a few feet off the ground. “Luna you are so cool. Can you show us any ponies dreams. Like say our friends.”

“Rainbow Dash, we can't just go around and spy on everypony's dreams. That is just wrong and a little creepy.” Twilight shot an angry glance at Rainbow.

“Come on Twi, don't be such a goody two shoes. There has to be somepony's dreams you like to take a closer look at.” Dash circled through the air only to stop at Twilight's side. With a playful nudge Dash whispered into her ear. “Maybe a certain stallion that you've been secretly watching.”

Twilight's jaw dropped as her face went flush. Her body then turned a bright pink as she shifted her hooves. “Okay, but just one or two.”

“Alright! That's what I thought. So where do we start.”

“Be mindful a pony's dreams are their own. I must insist that you uphold the sanctity of this world and its citizens.” Luna spread her wings wide as to welcome the two onlookers to explore and discover.

Rainbow shot past one wall and then the other as she cataloged each dream and its owner. Suddenly she screeched to a stop as she spotted a particularly odd image. “Is that Spike?” Within seconds Twilight teleported next to her as the two mares starred in both confusion and disgust at what they saw. Neither one knew exactly what they were starring at, nor did they want to. “Uh Twilight, is he having an ice cream dream of Rarity right now.”

“I really wished I hadn't seen that.”

“I mean I knew he like Rarity, but yeah.”

“Just be glad you don't have to clean his sheets after one of his little dreams, that dragon can drool like no pony's business.” Twilight gently pulled on Dash's mane in an attempt to drag her away from this train wreck. “Maybe we should just check out another part of this world.”

“Okay, but I just can't look away.”

Luna's rolled her eyes as she ascended into the cool mist of the room. Then with a blink of an eye they found themselves in the midst of a large scape of trees. The sky exploded with color as if it was painted with stars. The moon lit up like a beacon of peace, illuminating the night. The crisp air pierced their fur sending shivers down their spines. The world sprung to life with sounds as a sort of weight lifted from the group.

“What was that.” Twilight shook her body as if to shake her mane dry.

“That my friends was the rush of a new idea, a new state of mind. Whenever we enter into a new undeveloped area, the world is created just for us. In one's dreams, nothing is created until the dreamer is present.” Luna's horn radiated a luscious blue hue as she pushed back some nearby brush revealing a small dirt trail. “Come. I have something that I wish you see.”

The group traveled in silence as they stared at the beauties that the forest had to offer. Blue orchids lined the path as fireflies danced and twirled through the breeze. The stars pranced through the air as their tales shimmered behind them. What felt like no time at all the two mares found themselves high atop a mountain looking off over the canvas of colors and hues of Luna's vision. In the distance a waterfall cascaded into the world around it. The celestial river twisted and turn as it defied gravity as it greeted the starry background in a symphony of song and dance.

“Luna this is so beautiful. Where are we?”

“This is my private sanctuary. I come here when I need to get away from it all. You two are the only ponies I have ever shown.” Luna lowered her head and took in a long deep breath. “Celestia was wrong to send you here. It was her I was after, not you. It is no matter for soon this will all just seem like a dream.”

“Luna what are you?..” Twilight turned to face the princess only to be met with her hind hooves. Twilight was sent tumbling down the dirt road as Rainbow Dash took to the skies. With an explosion of air Luna took off after her. She was not about to let Dash get away. Luna's horn grew in power as it lit up a bright blue hue. A beam of energy ripped through the air scorching the air as it rocketed past Rainbow Dash's wings. Then another. Rainbow soared high into the sky pausing only to turn for a nose dive. Dodging blast after blast Dash let out a fierce battle cry as she collided her back hoof into Luna 's face. The lunar princess spiraled through the air and crashed into the forest below.

Rainbow Dash's attention quickly changed to the safety of Twilight. Back at the cliff side Twilight crawled out of the bushes as she slowly regained her vision. Staggering to her hooves Rainbow Dash raced to her side providing some much needed support.

“You alright Twi, That was some kick.”

“Yeah I'm fine, but what happened to Luna?”

“I do not know, but we need to get out of here and warn Celestia.”

Suddenly the the leaves began to rip away from the trees as the sky turned a blood red. Like a clap of thunder a dark shadow erupted from the woods, eclipsing the moon in darkness. The ground shook and rumbled as it jettisoned the frightened mares high above the tree tops. The shadow mare smoked and shimmered as it descended toward the two mares. “You insolent ponies think that you can just wake up and warn that pathetic mare you call a leader. This is my domain and soon so will be the world.”

“You will never be the ruler of Equestria. Dash run.”

“What?”

“Rainbow Dash run!” With a flash of light Twilight and Rainbow Dash teleported across the woods. Both mares galloped with all of their might, but they did not seem to make any head way. “Rainbow wait. What's that sound?”

A blood curdling howl pierced through the veil as a pungent odor crept into their nostrils. The trees and bushes slowly churned through the air as they assembled into three massive creatures. The timberwolves' eyes shined a dark green as they circled the scared mares. Rainbow's hair stood on end as the wolves' hot breath blew against her face. Acting swift the two ponies were steadfast. Picking their moment Dash struck first as she bucked the nearest wolf. Quickly the trio lunged allowing Twilight to escape to the side. With a bolt of power the first wolf exploded, sending out a loud screech. Rainbow Dash took off around the other, creating a whirlwind of rocks and branches. Caught in the tempest the two wolves collided forming a mountain of wreckage.

The two mares stood triumphant as they took in their small victory. Regaining their breath, piece after piece of the fallen monsters started to reform. “Rainbow, I think we need to leave now. We can't fight these wolves forever and that shadow monster is getting closer.”

“Well what do you suppose we do? The forest is just a continuous loop. I know we have passed that stupid rock like fifty times.” Rainbow's eyes shot back and forth as she examine the area for threats.

“My magic doesn't work the same as it would in Equestria, but maybe I can allow us to exit this dream.”

“Well, why didn't you do that, I don't know, when that thing was about to attack us?”

“It is not as easy as that. I need more time. I trying the best I can.”

“Uh Twilight. They're back.” Dash pushed off the ground sending Twilight and her into the bushes. The timberwolves crept forward as they prepared to go in for the kill. The floor began to shimmer when the three wolves made their attack. With a powerful lunge the wolves flew through the air only to meet forest behind them. Rainbow Dash and Twilight had disappeared into the unknown.