With Tired Eyes We Dream

The two mares huddled in each others embrace as they awaited their fate. Slowly they opened their eyes as a beam of light showed through their spread wings. Opening their wings the two ponies revealed a sun filled meadow. The cool morning breeze swept through the tall grass like waves on the ocean. Crickets chirped in the summer sun as a single cloud hung in the sky. Other than this the only sound that could be heard was the harsh breathing of the tired duo.

“Rainbow Dash, are you alright.” Twilight climbed to her hooves as she looked out over the endless field. She had no idea how they got out of the forest, but she was deeply thankful.

“Yeah I'm fine. Twilight what happened back there.” Rainbow stared at Twilight with anger and distrust in her eyes.

“I don't know what saved us, but whatever it was it bought us some time,”

“That's not what I'm talking about Twilight. I want to know what happened with you.” Rainbow Dash lightly lifted off the ground as to gain a place of authority on Twilight.

“What do you mean?” Twilight turned to the defensive as she raised to eye level with Rainbow.

“I've seen you in battle. The way you took on Discord or Tirek without a hint of fear, but just then. You...you...you coward and ran. You could have stopped that thing like it was nothing, Twi. So yeah, I want to know why we ran.” Rainbow raised a little higher in the air.

“That nightmare could shape the world around it at will. It would have destroyed us both. So I did the smart thing and thought of our safety.” Now flying high in the sky the two mare continued to gain altitude. The once empty sky was now full of dark thunder clouds. The storm pulsed and rippled with every heated word.

“So I'm not an egghead like you, but if you felt like we couldn't have fought that thing than why didn't you just zap us out of the dreamworld.”

“Well I couldn't” Twilight voice trailed off as the storm reached its peak.

“What? I didn't quite catch that.”

“I said I couldn't! There, are you happy now? I can't.” Twilight lowered her head in shame as she made her way back to the ground. The storm raging above dissipated to nothing as the sky returned to its original state.

“Okay, I'm sorry.” Rainbow Dash landed beside the depressed mare. With an outstretched wing she gently caressed her in a warm, secure embrace. “Explain to me, why you can't send us home?”

Twilight looked up at Dash with tear filled eyes. The pain she felt for endangering her friend was to much to bear. “No Dash, I am sorry. Ever since my battle with Tirek my powers have been acting weird. I don't know if it was the overexertion or my body channeling so much energy, but I have not had nearly the same amount of control. Not to mention this realm is so strange and thriving. I am afraid my magic isn't much help here.” Twilight covered her head with her wings, not wanting Dash to see her sadness.

“Twilight why didn't you tell us? You know we always have your back.” Dash carefully extended her front hoof as she lifted Twilight's head. “But if you did not save us, then who did?”

Suddenly a ray of light shined down upon the weary mares as the wind swirled around them. Blades of grass and dirt entered the air forming a figure of a familiar alicorn princess. With a flash of light a Celestia appeared as a faint specter. “It was I who saved you from the wolves Rainbow Dash, but before you ask. No, I can not bring you home. At least not yet.” Celestia step forward and bowed.

“Celestia is it really you, or are you just another illusion brought on by this world.” Twilight quickly got to her hooves.

“I am sorry Twilight, but there is no way of knowing for sure. You will have to take it on faith. My sister holds the key to this mystery, and she is the only one who can stop this growing nightmare.”

Rainbow Dash planted her front hoof. “Well that is all well and good, but we are kind of having trouble navigating this place. Not to mention we have no idea where Luna is.”

“She's right. We are walking around blind.” Twilight walked to Dash's side as to form a united front.

“I wish I could help more, but the dreams are trying to ascend into this plane. I must remain here in the real world.” After a moment of pause the wind started to blow once more. “Remember that this place is just one long dream. It is created and destroy by the will of the dreamers. So if you want to find Luna, you must dream.” The sun became bright, blinding the two mares. When they regained sight Celestia was gone.

“Well did that make any sense to you cause I am drawing a blank.” Rainbow Dash looked over at Twilight. The cool air swept past her hooves.

“I think, I do. We have to dream.” Twilight turned to the open field and closed her eyes. Concentrating Twilight's horn lit up with power as the ground shook and rattled. With a loud eruption a large oak tree sprung from the earth. Its branches filled with leaves as its shadow flowed out over the tall grass. Twilight knees grew weak causing her to fall to the ground. Twilight's eyes widen as she and Rainbow Dash looked on in amazement. She did it. She could shape dreams.

“Okay that was cool. Here let me try.” Dash followed Twilight's lead by closing her eyes. Moments passed without any change to the world. Rainbow's face twisted as she tried with all her might to alter reality. “Huh. What am I doing wrong.” Rainbow took in a deep breath and tried again. Her hooves dug into the ground while her face turned a bright red. Suddenly a light mist settled over the plane. “Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.” Rainbow Dash trotted in place she reveled in her success.

“Dash. I hate to ruin your victory, but I don't think that was you.” Twilight pointed off into the distance as the tall grass was set ablaze. The smoke quickly engulfed the two mares as the flames waltzed around the field. Soon the air was thick and hard to breathe. There was no where to go, for the flames blocked all exits. Twilight and Rainbow Dash pressed close together in order to keep track of the others position. Both ponies' eyes watered as their lungs screamed with pain.

“Kof, kof. Twilight, now would be a good time to use that dream power. Kof” Rainbow Dash placed her head under Twilight's waist trying to support her weary friend. Rainbow Dash is a trained athlete who has flown in far worst aerial conditions. Twilight on the other hoof has never dealt with such a harsh environment. Twilight's eyes closed as she collapsed under the heat and smoke. “Twilight, Twi, you can't give up on me yet Kof, kof.” The flames crept closer singeing the two mares fur and feathers. Sweat and tears rolled down Dash's face as she tried to come up with a plan. A sense of hopelessness sank into her heart as she could see a faded image of her fallen friend. Rainbow Dash forced herself back to her hooves, gasping at what little air was left. Rainbow Dash tried with all of her might to change the dream world, but couldn't. There was no where left to go, and Dash was out of ideas.
With her last ounce of strength Rainbow Dash rocketed deep into the heart of the smoke. Plunging herself into the unknown she flew for what felt like ages. With ever flap of her wings she felt both her body and mind slipping away. She had to get Twilight out of here, but she couldn't hold onto her for much longer. A small beacon of light shown through the tempest, providing Dash one last shot at hope. Dash gave one final push. The cool, clean air pushed past Rainbow's wings as she passed out due to the stress. Both mares hit the hard marble surface of what appeared to be a large floating platform. Had Dash created this world or was this the work of Celestia.

* * *

Dash gasped hard as she regained feeling in her body. Wearily she panned the area for her next move. She had to keep moving. The smoke had not caught up to them yet, but it was not far behind. The small island hung in the air as it slowly drifted through the sky. Covered in both grass and a small marble pathway the lonely island housed a large windmill. Rainbow Dash watched as the smoke slowly snaked its way through the portal toward them. “Okay Twilight you can't quit on me yet. I need you. Come on Twi you can make it.” Dash looked down at Twilight's motionless face as she realized what she needed to do. “I hope no pony sees this. Hang in there Twi.” Dash placed her hooves softly behind Twilight's head. Dash took in a deep breath and placed her lips tight to Twilight's mouth.

Dash's attempts to revive Twilight came to a stop as Twilight sprung to life. “Kof, kof. Rainbow Dash, you saved my life.”

“Yeah that's great. Now I need you to save our lives.” With a powerful screech a large phoenix ripped through the smoke. “Mainly from that.” The fire bird flew high into the air sending out flares of fire radiating off of its majestic wings. The smoke flooded the platform as fire rained down upon the frightened mares. “Okay Twi, time to work your magic. Literally, time to go.”

Twilight could barely stand as she stumbled to her hooves. Rainbow helped as much as she could, but time was running out. The phoenix picked up speed as it made it's first dive at the pair. With great force its sharp talons ripped by, just missing the weary travelers. Quickly Twilight gestured toward the old windmill for it was the only shelter on the floating island. Twilight's lungs burned with every breath as she and Rainbow limped toward the lonely windmill. With every run the large bird made, the heat of its powerful being burned the two mares. Reaching the windmill Twilight's horn gently glowed as a small portal began to form. Quickly she step through, but not before the phoenix could make one final attack. With great power and force the fire bird ripped through the island, sending it spiraling into the unknown. Twilight looked in horror for Rainbow Dash hadn't walked through the portal yet. She couldn't move. Twilight's mind couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Suddenly a ball of fire jettisoned through the portal as Dash's lifeless body fell to the floor. Then the portal closed.

“Rainbow Dash.” Twilight raced to her side and felt for a pulse. Her horn ignited with light as a beam of energy shined down on Rainbow. Not even Twilight's most powerful healing spell could help her fallen friend. She knew the truth. Rainbow Dash was gone. Her eyes filled with tears as she buried her face in Dash's cold breast. “Rainbow Dash you're okay. Stop playing around. You're okay,” Twilight sat motionless as she stared at Rainbow Dash. Her body laid burnt and blackened as her wings were left bare and broken. Tears dripped down Twilight's eyes and fell on Dash's face. “Rainbow Dash, don't leave me. I need you. Please I love you.”

Twilight sat holding Dash's head in her hooves as her heart silently shattered into pieces. Slowly the clouds began to rumble as a light rain fell on the sad scene. What should Twilight do now? Luna was still her only option for escape, but how could she face her friends? The world around her turned gray and lifeless as a shadow crept behind her. “This is it my little pony. You come farther than I had expected, but there is no where left for you to hide,”

“No! You will pay for what you did.” Twilight exploded into flames as a large ball of energy formed above her head. The lights of the universe funneled above her horn. The world became black as a beam of light scorched through the air disintegrating the shadows. Twilight panted heavily as smoke billowed off her horn. The creature was gone, but she did not feel any better. Rainbow Dash was still never coming back. Suddenly the world started to collapsed upon itself sucking everything in like a black hole. Twilight and Rainbow were swept up into the air. Spiraling through the air Twilight fear grew as she disappeared.