With Tired Eyes We Dream

Twilight found herself floating lifelessly through the void. Her body was numb and cold as the spark of life had left her eyes. She had failed. No matter how hard she tried she could not save her. She couldn't save Rainbow Dash. Slowly her hooves settled to the soft ground of a what appeared to be a grassy hillside. A light fog settled onto the meadow as a cold rain broke the silence of this world. Twilight's head hung low as each step dragged on. The rain stung with each drop washing away the ash and soot that covered her body. Her wounds couldn't match the pain she felt inside. She walked for what felt like hours, all the time her eyes never left the road.

The rain slowly lifted opening the sky to a still cloudy day. Closing her eyes, Twilight took in a deep breath. Her lungs still burned from the smoke as she contemplated the current string of events. She couldn't give up now. The fate of Equestria still hung in the balance, and Rainbow Dash would never have walked away from a fight. If only she had some clue as to what to do. Letting out a long sigh she looked to the heavens. Off in the distance a single rainbow shined through the darkness. Shredding a single tear, she had found her heading. At first she was at a slow amble, but she soon corscendoed into a full gallop as the sun grew radiated with life.

Her mission was clear; she had to find Luna. She had to dream. Her mind cleared causing the world to ripple around her as she suddenly found her self standing in a large castle library. Shrugging off the rush of this new world Twilight studied the room. The lights that lined the wall revealed a grand hall filled with banners and books. Looking closely the room seemed familiar as if she had been her before. Slowly stepping forward the room exploded with noise as her hoof steps echoed off of the walls.

“Hello, who are you?” Twilight's head turned to the left as a young white filly stepped out from behind a large tapestry draping down the wall. A puzzled look moved over the fillies face as she stared at the alicorn that stood in front of her.

“Oh, hello. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and who are you?” Twilight carefully step closer to the shy mare, surprised to see another pony in this world. Had she crossed over into somepony's dream. She couldn't see why not. The question was, who's?

Hi. I'm Celestia. Are you a princess like me? The filly stepped forward nervously at first, but then found herself under Twilight's wings, examining her every feature.
“Celestia!” Could she have heard right? Was this Celestia or a projection given off by the dream? The better question, could she trust her? The cogs turned in Twilight's head as she linked the young mare to the source of this location. She was now in the once grand Castle of the Two Sisters.

“Hey, are you listening to me? Do you want to play hide and seek?” The white mare tugged at Twilight's wing with all of her might trying to gain her attention. “I am currently looking for my sister, but if you help me find her, it could be your turn next.”

Twilight was uncertain at first, but maybe this mare could help. “Sure I would love to play. Well let's go this way.” Twilight started down the the long hall as she scanned the walls for clues. Suits of armor lined the walls. Each one stood proud as they waited on their small platforms. Though they did not have eyes the suits of armor seen to be watching the two mares.

“Wuna, Wuna, I'm going to find you.” The filly Celestia bounced after Twilight all the while screaming Luna's name. Passing by a nearby mirror Celestia caught a reflection of herself waiting patiently on the other side. Her eyes glimmered green as a cheshire smile crept over her face.

“Celestia, are you alright?”

“I'm coming. Twilight, you and me are going to be the best of friends.”

Reaching the end of the hall stood a single wooden door. There was no markings to where the door led nor was there any special engravings on it. It was just a plain door. There was something odd about the whole thing, and the simple fact that this door was place amongst such a elegant castle made it stand out even more. Twilight carefully studied this oddity as she lightly place her hoof onto the door knob. A bright light shined through the opening as the door slowly swung open. Twilight couldn't remember if she had walked into the blinding light or if she was just swept up by the brilliance of it all.

When her eyes finally adjusted she found herself standing in front of her newly formed castle in the heart of Ponyville. The morning sun snaked its way over the horizon as the its rays washed away the dark blues of the night. Twilight looked around for Celestia, but the young filly was nowhere to be found. Walking through the town everything seem like a normal day. Ditzy Doo could be seen preforming her daily mailmare duties, while the Cutie Mark Crusaders were off in the distance on some sort of adventure. This had to still be the dreamworld, but Ponyville seemed so real.

Suddenly a pink blur came shooting out of a nearby alleyway. Before Twilight could react she was slammed to the floor by the bouncy pink pony. “Twilight, I am so glad to see you. I have missed you so much. So how was your trip? Ohh, and Daring. Did you get that signature for Rainbow? I bet she is so happy right now. Did you have a good time? Hey where is Rainbow Dash anyway?” Pinkie Pie's stood over Twilight as her face drew back and forth from Twilight's face.

“Calm down there sugarcube. I am sure Twilight is tired from her trip.” Following close behind Pinkie was the rest of her friends. Each one held a look of excitement to see the return of their friends. “So Twilight. How was the convention?

“Pinkie Pie, Applejack, it is so nice to see a friendly face.” Twilight could not help herself as she engulfed the two mares in a warm embrace. Tears welled up in her eyes as the weight of her experience was lifted in her friend's secure hooves.

“You alright Twilight.” Applejack step away from the group hug and examined Twilight's saddened face.

“Yes darling, you look simply awful.”

“There something I need to tell everypony about Rainbow Dash.” Twilight took in a deep breath as she wiped away the tears flowing down her face. The others slowly gathered in close. “While we were in Canterlot Celestia asked us to enter into the dreamworld in search of Luna.” Every word felt heavy as they crept out of her mouth. Her heart bled for what she was about to reveal. “We got into trouble, and...and....” She couldn't say it for it hurt too much to admit to the truth. Her voice quavered with fear and sadness.

“Twilight, it is okay. You tell us when you are ready.” Fluttershy quietly stepped out from behind her friends. Carefully she place her hoof in Twilight's hair stroking it in a calming manner.

“I did all I could, but...” Twilight buried her head deep into her hooves. “Rainbow Dash is gone.”

“Oh where did she go off to? Was it the bathroom, or was it Las Pegasus? Oh I love guessing games.” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down with excitement as she pondered the question.

“Pinkie Pie please let Twilight finish.”

“No Pinkie, Rainbow Dash is dead! She is gone, and it is all my fault.” Twilight felt both relief and pain as the words exploded from her mouth. At least she knew her friends could comfort her. Her eyes went from face to face as she studied their reactions. What was at first a look of shock turned to anger as their warm caring eyes hardened.

“Of course it is your fault. You was the one who wanted to go to that stupid convention in the first place.” Applejack stomped her front hoof on the ground as steam exhaled from her nostrils.

“Yeah, a lot of good being an alicorn princess did. I say that you bring nothing but pain and suffering into our lives.” Rarity stood next to AJ as the two mares unleashed an onslaught of hateful remarks at the weary mare.

“Stop it you guys. I did everything I could. Don't you think I feel horrible enough without you two going off on me?” Twilight's heart tore inside as her “so called” friends words stabbed at her very soul.

“No, every time we do something with you we almost die. The day you first arrived in this town it all went to Tartarus in a hoof basket. Then there was the whole ordeal with Tirek. Now you gone and got one of my best friends killed.” Applejack turned away from Twilight as she tried to restrain her anger. “I was more than happy to live my simple apple bucking life on the farm before you showed up, and you know what? I reckon I would like to return to it. Twilight Sparkle I am done being you friend, and I wish I never have to see you again!”

“Do you all feel this way?” Twilight eyes could barely keep from tearing over as she look for some sign of hope against the faces. All stood silent as every one of their heads lowered to the ground as to keep from making eye contact with the heartbroken princess. “Fluttershy, you have to understand.”

“Twilight I think it is best if you just leave.” The yellow pegasus sunk to the floor as she cowered behind Pinkie Pie. She look stunned and unemotional at the realization of Rainbow's demise.
There was nothing left to say for it was clear. Twilight was no longer welcomed in her home. Her hooves trembled as she slowly turned away from her friends. Her eyes had all but dried up as she sank deep into depression. Walking back down the lonesome road a familiar white filly was standing at a near by house. Seeing that she had been spotted a grin slipped over her face as she waved for Twilight to come over. Twilight's anger grew as she galloped toward the little mare. Celestia knew this was a dream and yet she allowed Twilight to be lost to her own emotions. The sly filly gently opened the nearby door and playfully trotted through it. Reaching the door way Twilight bucked it with all of her might sending the door flying off of its hinges. In the heat of her rage she soon found that she had returned to the lavish décor of the castle.

Driven on pure adrenaline Twilight tromped through the labyrinth of rooms looking for the filly Celestia. The hallways had changed from their previous rendition, yet housed the same themes and motifs. The suits of armor still sat guarding the aisle’s as if waiting for an intruder to breach the castle's defenses. Making her way into a large ballroom steam heavily vented from her nostrils. Off in the distance a faint voice slithered it way it Twilight's eyes. “Don't be mad at me. I didn't know where that room would lead. I promise.”

“Auugh! I am sick of this place! I am sick of letting down all of my friends, and I just want to go home!” Twilight looked at the innocent little pony hiding beneath a nearby table and collapsed to the floor. “I just can't do this anymore. I can't keep putting my friends in harms way. I just don't have it in me. That dream was right they are better off with out me in their lives.”

“You can't quit now. Who will help me find my sister?” Celestia pressed her face against Twilight's trying to gain some type of reaction.

“You should just go on without me too. I wouldn't want to get any pony else hurt.” Twilight turned her head away from Celestia and rolled herself into a small ball. “I am just going to wait here.”

“Please, you have to help. I need to...we need to find Luna.” Twilight was unresponsive as the room stood quiet. “Please.” Twilight's wing covered her face as if to shield herself from the mare's empty words. “Fine!” Celestia raised off the marble floor and walked over to a nearby lantern protruding out of the wall. Swiftly the young alicorn pushed a chair against the wall using it as a ladder to reach the bright lantern above. “If you won't help me then I will make you.” With a outstretched hoof Celestia pulled downward on the gold plated torch setting off a chain reaction of noises.

Twilight's ears perked up as the noise traveled in her direction. “What did you just do?” Twilight sprung to her hoofs as she started to trot in place. Her eyes quickly turned to the floor as a loud crack sounded underneath her. With a sudden gasp of air the floor swung open sending the stunned princess sliding down a long looping slide.

Screaming down the slide she rocketed off into the darkness only to be stopped by the side of a large metal hanger. Spinning from the crash Twilight's head felt like it was on fire. The impact left a small cut along her forehead allowing a small bead of blood to slink down her face. Wearily the mare found her hooves and raised from the dirt. “Where in the world has that filly sent me now?”

Following close behind was a playful yell as Celestia appeared through a hole rippling in midair. Gracefully the filly glided to the ground as if nothing had happened. “Yeah! Wasn't that the most fun you ever had?”

A look of hatred was shot in Celestia's direction as Twilight tried to calm herself. Whether she wanted to or not she still had to get out of this horrid realm. Looking around she knew she had been here before, but couldn't place exactly where. Emerging from behind the hanger she looked up in amazement as rings of clouds and machinery filled the air. Fleets of pegasi rushed through the air as they proceeded to preform dazzling tricks high above the earth. Only at the Wonderbolt's Academy could this much equipment and this many talented pegasi be found. Walking out onto a giant runway Twilight gave out a loud gasp as a familiar mare shot down from the sky landing in front of her.

“Rainbow Dash!”