The Dream Stalker

by Car Cloth

Rating: everyone
Tags: Pipsqueak, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Luna
Length: 10544

The Princess of the Night must help the ponies of her kingdom through their dreams. Night, after night, after night she helps them through their fears and problems... but who is there to help her when she needs it most?

Princess Luna slips through the dreams of her subjects, helping them conquer their fears and anxieties in any way she can.

But its a thankless task... one that often leaves Luna filled with the old bitterness she once felt before her banishment. The bitterness begins to take hold until, one night, she stumbles upon a pony who dreams exclusively of her... Perhaps her task wasn't as unappreciated as she thought.

(Artwork [with permission] from NastyLady on deviantart)

Published 2014-06-15 12:10:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-06-19 08:06:33 UTC

Night 2: Silver Spoon, Scootaloo & Twilight Sparkle

“Help! Somepony! Anypony!”

Silver Spoon’s cries for help were lost to the wind. She trotted in place, glancing up at the night sky with nervous apprehension. The woods around her were composed of dead, rotting trees and tall weeds. The howl of Timberwolves could be heard in the distance…

“Help! Please! I’m lost!” Silver Spoon called out.

The road in front of her split into three paths. Every time she started down one she froze and decided to return to the intersection. Ravens were circling overhead now, threatening to swoop down at any moment.

“P-please! I need help! I don’t know where to go! I… I got separated from my friends!”

Princess Luna watched the dream with sadness in her heart. The feeling of being separated from everyone was a feeling she knew well. Sympathetic to the foal’s plight, Luna revealed herself by stepping out of the shadows of the twisted trees.

Silver Spoon immediately cringed away, startled by Luna’s presence, but she quickly brightened when she realized who it was. “P-Princess Luna! Thank goodness you’re here!” Silver Spoon ran to the princess and bowed before her. “I’m lost! Can you fly me out of the woods?”

“Silver Spoon… the way out of the woods is down one of these paths. Why have you not taken one yourself?”

Silver Spoon nervously turned to the three pathways and frowned. “But… I don’t know which one will lead me back to Ponyville…”

“You must have confidence, child. Any path will lead you from the woods. All you need do is pick.”

“Pick?” The foal shook in her spot and examined all three paths as though her life depended on it. “But what if I pick wrong?” she whispered.

“Wouldn’t that be better than waiting?” Luna inquired.

“But I could become even more lost or… or… I could run across Timberwolves and be eaten… What if my friends are looking for me right now? What if I choose wrong and they never find me? What if I can never find my way back?” Silver Spoon fell to the ground and covered her head with her hooves. “I can’t! I’m going to do it wrong! Please, Princess Luna! You decide! Tell me which path to take! I don’t want the responsibility of picking!”

Luna was taken aback. Did the foal really want her to decide? “But why, child? I told you each path will lead you from the woods…”

“I don’t want to pick! I don’t!”

Nightmares were an odd thing, Luna knew that. Sometimes ponies acted differently in their dreams, shaken by some unseen fear or worry. Indecision wasn’t a common problem Luna had seen, but she thought she had a solution.

“Silver Spoon. I am going to fly back to Ponyville now. These paths will lead you back eventually; all you need is the conviction of self to take one.” Luna spread her black wings and took to the sky, leaving the frightened foal in her place.

“Wait! Please don’t leave me!” Silver Spoon reached out for the princess, but it was all in vain. Once Luna had gone she curled up on the crossroads and sobbed, completely unable to handle the responsibility of choosing… Luna waited a few moments, watching her from on high. The foal didn’t move. She continued to wait in the woods as the shadows grew longer and the Timberwolves drew closer.

Such an odd child, Luna thought to herself. I will need to do something more if I am to help her… Troubled by the nightmare, Luna left Silver Spoon’s dreamscape with a heavy heart.

The next dream Luna stepped into was a bright and vibrant sky filled with clouds, rainbows and, most of all, Pegasus ponies. Everyone was flying and enjoying themselves. Luna used her magic to blend into the dream, concealing her presence. Who was dreaming this wondrous and adventure-filled dream?

A small Pegasus filly caught Luna’s eye. It was Scootaloo. She was flying with the Wonderbolts, looping through the skies like a pro. Luna smiled to herself as she watched the dream unfold. She loved these happy and playful dreams. It meant the pony having the dream was happy and healthy. Perhaps I’m not needed here, Luna thought to herself as she enjoyed the feel of the dream wind against her mane.

“Rainbow Dash! Watch me!” Scootaloo called out to the dream Rainbow Dash. All the Pegasus ponies watched as Scootaloo did a loop de loop midair. The Pegasus ponies cheered. “I did it! I totally did it! Did you see, Rainbow Dash? Did you?”

“I sure did, kid! Great flying!”

Scootaloo was bursting with happiness and pride. Her tiny wings were beating a million beats per minute and, if Luna didn’t know any better, she would swear the filly was part-hummingbird.

“Are you okay?” Rainbow Dash asked. Luna looked over to the filly and saw she was slowly descending out of the sky, despite the fact she was flapping her wings as hard as she could.

“Me?” Scootaloo asked with a fearful crack in her voice. “Oh, I’m totally fine! Completely! No problems here! One hundred percent okay!”

“If you say so,” Rainbow Dash said, flying ahead into a patch of gray clouds.

Scootaloo was dropping faster now, practically falling. The filly remained quiet, despite the fact she was hundreds of feet above the ground. It was clear to Luna she wasn’t calling out for help because she didn’t want to embarrass herself. What remarkable hubris for a child, Luna thought.

Finally, Scootaloo’s tiny wings gave out. She fell from the sky and began to plummet, silent tears streaming up into the air as she went. The filly’s body became limp and before she hit the ground she yelled out in anger. “I hate you, wings! I hate you! Why can’t you work like normal wings!? Why!?”

Luna flew down to catch the filly, but to her surprise, Scootaloo’s dream had already saved the filly for her. A dream version of Princess Celestia flew from the sun and swooped in just in time to save Scootaloo. Princess Celestia took Scootaloo in her hooves and flew back up into the sky, taking the time to wipe the tears of frustration from the filly’s eyes. The little Pegasus looked at Celestia with deep appreciation.

“Princess! You saved me!”

“Of course, Scootaloo. You are my favorite Pegasus pony, after all.”

“I am?” Scootaloo asked in gleeful delight. “Do… do you really mean it!?”

“Yes. That’s why I’ve come all the way from Canterlot to adopt you.”

Scootaloo suddenly got the energy and happiness to start flying once again. She smiled so wide her face could barely contain it. “Really!? You truly mean it!? You’re going to adopt me? Wow! This is the best day ever!”

Princess Celestia smiled as she flew alongside Scootaloo. Everypony in the dream began cheering and celebrating. In a way only dreams could, suddenly everypony in Ponyville was a Pegasus, even ponies who normally weren’t. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were flying with Scootaloo… even Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack were now Pegasus ponies.

“I’ve always wanted to fly with you, Celestia,” Scootaloo earnestly admitted. “You’re the best princess ever!”

Luna felt a twinge of pain in her heart when she heard that statement. Using her magic, she made one of the dream Pegasus ask, “Scootaloo, wouldn’t you want to fly with Princess Luna as well?”

“Nah,” Scootaloo said with a happy laugh. “Luna only flies at night and I would much rather fly during the day!”

Luna slowed her flight and allowed Scootaloo and her dreams to go ahead of her. It hadn’t been too long ago that Luna had helped Scootaloo overcome her fears and form a bond with Rainbow Dash… Had Scootaloo forgotten that already? Was that act of kindness already lost on the filly to the point that now all she wanted was to see Princess Celestia?

Disheartened, Luna slowly fell out of the dreamscape. She left Scootaloo to her flight and family. There was nothing more she could do for the filly… there was nothing more the filly wanted…

With a heavy sigh, Luna used her magic to search for another dreamscape. She still had time for one more… maybe one that wasn’t so woebegone…

“Oh! That is amazing! Thank you so much, Princess Celestia!”

Luna immediately regretted entering this dream the moment everything came into vision. She recognized it instantly. This was the dream of Princess Twilight Sparkle.

“You’re very welcome, Twilight.”

Twilight Sparkle was standing in front of her mentor, Princess Celestia, in her normal unicorn form, not yet an alicorn in her dreams. They were both in a library, reading books and talking about various kinds of magic. Luna had seen this dream hundreds of times before. If Twilight wasn’t dreaming about this, she was dreaming about some Pegasus guard at the castle; both dreams were something Luna didn’t need to concern herself with.

“I can’t believe how much you managed to write over the years, Princess. There is so much knowledge stored in this library!”

“I had plenty of time during our studies,” Celestia laughed. “Don’t you remember? I would be writing while you practiced.”

Twilight nodded her head enthusiastically. “I do remember!”

“Princess Cadance would occasionally visit as well. She also wrote some of these books.”

“I knew I recognized her calligraphy!”

Luna rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to see or hear about all the great things that happened while she was banished on the moon. Celestia writing books… a new alicorn princess… It was all too much for Luna to bear. Without a single word, Luna flew from the dream at high speeds, exiting all dreams altogether.

Why did her sister have to be loved and revered by all? What made her so special that even Scootaloo would want to be adopted by her instead of by Luna, the princess that helped her first? Luna opened her eyes, exiting her dream-walking trance. A deep bitterness was in her heart… and it hurt to think about it…

Did everypony really need to dream about Celestia?

Night 3: Celestia & Pipsqueak

Princess Luna watched the sun go down over the horizon. With her magic she brought he moon into the sky, lighting up the darkness and allowing the ponies below a peaceful night’s sleep. She sighed, realizing she would need to take to the dreams of her subjects once again… In her heart she hoped she would be more helpful this evening, unlike the past few nights…

Spreading her wings, Luna took to the sky and used her magic to slip into the collective dreamscape of Equestria…

Without much effort she touched down into the first dream of the evening. The location of the dream chilled her… it was her old castle. The castle she and Celestia used to live in hundreds of years ago. Luna looked around in awe, lamenting the fact she no longer lived in this castle. “I miss this place,” she whispered to herself.

Suddenly a wall of the castle blew apart. Raw magic blasted through the area, lighting up the corridors of the empty castle. Luna concealed her presence and looked around, hoping to find the pony responsible for the dream. Much to her horror, she saw herself, or rather, Nightmare Moon, up in the sky, laughing manically.

“Lulu!” Celestia called out to the dream Nightmare Moon. “Please, sister! Stop this!”

Luna watched with bated breath. She could remember this event like it was yesterday… her heart was filled with so much bitterness and rage that she couldn’t fight off the presence that had always haunted her. It haunted her to this day.

Celestia jumped into the sky to face Nightmare Moon. Princess Luna laughed ironically to herself. Of course she would enter Celestia’s dreams. Of course.

“Stop this!” Celestia commanded. “Let go of your hatred!”

Easy for you to say, Luna thought. There is nothing for you to feel bitter about…

Nightmare Moon laughed. “You’re a fool, Tia! Once you’re gone I will drown the world in darkness!”

Celestia clashed with Nightmare Moon, both of them struggling to get the advantage. Celestia used her radiance to dispel the shadows and darkness all around her. Nightmare Moon hissed and used her horn to arch a wave of dark magic, striking Celestia and sending her to the ground below.

“You’re dangerous,” Celestia angrily breathed. “To dangerous to be allowed to roam free…”

“Who has given you the right to rule over me, dearest sister? I am just as powerful and just as important!” The dream Nightmare Moon attacked again, but Celestia dodged out of the way.

With her magic, Celestia pulled the elements of harmony from a chest in the back of the castle and used them to empower her own magic. “I will banish you to the moon, Lulu… Don’t force my action. Surrender!”

Nightmare Moon bashed into her, crossing her horn with Celestia’s and laughing. “Never,” Nightmare Moon hissed. “I will never stop!”

“So be it,” Celestia whispered, tapping into the power of the elements. Luna watched from the sidelines as her sister used the magic to banish the dream version of Nightmare Moon to the moon. Luna turned away once her sister was done. Why had Celestia banished her? Couldn’t Celestia have reverted her, like Twilight and her friends when they used the elements of harmony? Why didn’t Celestia do the same thing?

“Now you can never hurt the citizens of Equestria ever again,” Celestia whispered to the moon, tears streaming down her face.

Luna flew out of the dream. She knew why Celestia didn’t revert her back to herself… Celestia was afraid of her. Afraid she would become Nightmare Moon again. Afraid there was nothing she could do to truly save her.

She’s right, Luna thought. I know she’s right… I know I can become Nightmare Moon again, given the right circumstances… Maybe I should have stayed on the moon… banished forever…

Heartbroken and weak with doubt, Luna slid through the dreams of ponies, going through the motions to occupy her mind. Perhaps she would find a dream that distracted her away from her bitterness for a few moments… that’s all she wanted…

Luna slowly drifted into a dream set in Ponyville. It was night, a beautiful full moon in the sky, and the streets were empty. Enjoying the light of the moon, Luna looked around for the pony crafting such a quiet and peaceful dream.

“Princess Luna! You came!”

Startled, Luna glanced around and was shocked to see a dream version of herself standing in the middle of town square. Trotting in front of her dream self was a tiny pinto colt, one she had seen before. It was Pipsqueak, the foal that had moved to Ponyville from Trottingham.

“Oh, Princess Luna! I’m so glad you could make it! I’ve wanted to see you for so long!” Pipsqueak ran around the dream Luna with a bright smile and energetic step. Luna was suddenly envious of her dream self, happy that somepony, anypony, was thinking of her.

“I have something I want to show you, Princess Luna! Wait here!”

Pipsqueak ran off toward his house, his smile lighting up the dream around him. Luna took this moment to use her magic to dispel the dream version of herself. Instead, she stepped into the town square and took its place, anxiously awaiting Pipsqeak’s return.

The pinto colt ran back with a piece of paper held tightly in his mouth. He ran to her hooves and placed the paper down in front of her. It was a hoof-drawn picture of Luna flying over Ponyville. Luna smiled. “Did you draw this yourself, Pip?”

“I sure did!” Pipsqueak hugged her hooves. “Thank you, Princess! Thank you for watching over us during the night!”

“You know of that, child? Of my duty as the Princess of the Night?”

“We learned all about it in school,” he informed her lovingly, nuzzling her hooves and curling up next to her. “And Scootaloo told me about the time you saved her from the headless pony! You’re the best princess! Helping us in our dreams!”

“I… I didn’t know you felt that way, dear Pip…”

“Uh-huh!” He suddenly jumped up and took a few steps back. With stiff legs, he stood up tall and held his head high. “When I grow up I’m going to be a Pegasus pony!”

Luna laughed, amused by his childish naivety. “Why would you wish to be a Pegasus pony?”

“So that I can fly to the moon and protect you.”

Again, she laughed. “Protect me from what, child?”

“From the sadness,” Pip quickly replied.

Luna was taken aback, caught off-guard by child’s response. “What did you say?” she whispered.

“From the sadness. I want to protect you from the sadness.” Pip took a seat and frowned. “Our teacher told us that once you were really sad… so sad you became Nightmare Moon and had to go away to the moon for a long time… I don’t want you to be sad, so, I thought… if I protect you then you’ll never be sad again!”

“I… don’t know what to say,” Luna admitted. Nopony had ever said that to her before, not even Celestia…

“Please say yes,” Pip said, jumping back onto his hooves. “I’ll do a good job, I promise! I ran a lemonade stand once and I did a good job then!”

“Pip… I am the Princess of the Night. It is my duty to protect you, not the other way around. You needn’t worry about my happiness.”

“But…” Pip’s voice trailed off. “But who protects you? Watches your dreams?”

“N-no one,” Luna replied with a melancholy laugh.

“Then I’ll be the one!” Pip was excited again, playfully running around Luna’s legs. “I’ll be the Guardian of the Night! The pony that protects the princess!”

Luna took to the sky, needing to distance herself from the child. She landed on the roof of a nearby building and took a deep breath. Pip looked up at her from the ground, a long frown on his face, obviously hurt by her distance. “Aren’t you afraid, Pip? Of Nightmare Moon?”

“Nightmare Moon is scary,” Pip admitted. “But now that I know it’s just you in disguise… I don’t want you to be sad, Princess Luna.”

For the first time in a long time, Luna felt some of her bitterness leave her. She had no idea there were ponies out there that wanted to make sure she was happy. “Pip,” she breathed. “Have you ever flown?”

The pinto foal shook his head. Using her magic, Luna changed Pip’s dream form and made him a tiny Pegasus. He excitedly smiled and spread his wings; one white, one brown. It was a dream, so reality didn’t come into play. He flew like an expert, his skill determined solely by his imagination.

They both took to the sky, flying through the moonlight soaked clouds and dancing through the stars. Pip couldn’t stop laughing, his wings flapping excitedly as he went. Princess Luna flew slow circles around Pip, watching him enjoy himself. In his happiness she remembered why she loved slipping through the dreams of ponies…

“Pip… Thank you.”

“Thank you, princess!” he said between laughs. “This is the best night ever!”

Night 4: Apple Bloom, Coco Pommel & Pipsqueak

“One egg, two cups butter… half cup sugar…” Apple Bloom recited all the ingredients she was going to need. “Half cup brown sugar? Oh no…” She ran to the cupboard and began searching for the missing ingredient. It was early in the morning and if she wanted to surprise Apple Jack with homemade cookies she was going to have to be quick.

“Oh, here it is!” she happily gasped. Apple Bloom slowly pulled the brown sugar out of the cupboard and turned back to the table. Shocked and horrified, she realized the table had caught fire! “What the!?”

Dropping the brown sugar, Apple Bloom ran over the sink and filled a bowl with water. She ran back and threw the contents onto the fire. Steam filled the room but, it was all worth it, as the fire was doused. “Whew,” she sighed.

Calming herself, Apple Bloom organized her ingredients and cleaned off the table. The fire was crazy, but it was over now. She could focus. Right as she was about to start mixing, Big Mac dashed into the room.

“Apple Bloom! Are the cookies ready!?” he asked in a panic.

“Huh?” Apple Bloom asked.

“The cookies? Are they ready?”

“How did you know I was going to bake cookies?”

“They’re the cookies we’re giving to the delegates of Saddle Arabia, don’t you remember!?”

“What!?” Apple Bloom gasped, again shocked. “They are!? I thought… I thought I was making them for Apple Jack?”

“Nooope!” Big Mac replied. “We need them now!”

“Oh no…”

Apple Bloom grabbed everything and threw it all into a bowl and began mixing. When was she supposed to make cookies for delegates from Saddle Arabia!? She didn’t have time to think about it now! Big Mac needed those cookies!

In no time flat she threw balls of dough onto a baking tray and got them into the oven. As Apple Bloom set the timer she heard a loud explosion. Whipping around, she saw that the oven housing her cookies had exploded! Exploded! There was a hole in the side of the house and the smoking wreckage of the kitchen had caught on fire.

Stunned into silence, Apple Bloom simply stared at the kitchen in disbelief. “What is going on?” she whispered to herself.

“Apple Bloom! What is this!?”

She turned and saw Apple Jack entering the kitchen. “Apple Jack! I, uh… can explain! I didn’t know cookies were combustible!”

“Apple Bloom! We don’t have time for that! We need to start harvesting the zap apples!”

“Already!? I… I don’t remember seeing a meteor shower?”

“Hurry, Apple Bloom!” Big Mac suddenly jumped into the conversation. “You need to bake those cookies, clean this kitchen, fix the oven and help us with the zap apple harvest!”

“And the prom is tomorrow!” Apple Jack added in a stressed-out voice.

Apple Bloom began hyperventilating. There was so much to do and everything she touched somehow burst into flames! “I… Okay, pull it together, Apple Bloom!” she told herself aloud. “You got this! You got this!”

She immediately ran outside, grabbed some wood and tools and began preparing to fix the house. “I need to fix the kitchen first before I can bake cookies,” she muttered aloud, trying to organize her thoughts while she worked. She lifted a hammer and struck it against a nail to start building a wall when a tiny spark flew from the strike and caught fire to the wood.

“What the!? Not again!”

Apple Bloom ran around looking for water, any water, to get the fire to stop. Everypony else was busy with the zap apples… what was she going to do!? The fire was growing at outrageous speeds, consuming the wood and jumping to the barn in a matter of moments.

Princess Luna had seen enough. With her powerful magic she banished the fire from the dream and put an end to the chaos. Apple Bloom stood before her, momentarily confused.

“Princess Luna?” Apple Bloom finally asked. “What’re you doing here?”

“Apple Bloom,” Luna said with a sigh. “What is troubling you, child? Why do you feel as though you destroy everything you touch?”

The little filly hung her head and kicked at the ground. “I… I don’t know… Lately I just feel as though I’m no help… I just want to help ponies, Princess Luna… I just don’t know how.”

Princess Luna smiled. She was in a good mood from last night and she knew now what she needed to do. “I know a pony that needs your help, Apple Bloom.”

“You do?” Apple Bloom lifted her head and half-smiled. “My help?”

“Yes. Follow me.”

Luna led the little filly to the woods. Luna didn’t normally combine the dreams of ponies, but sometimes it was necessary to find resolution for both ponies. Plus, Luna had realized that sometimes ponies need someone else in order to make them whole again…

The woods became twisted and rotted and Luna knew that Silver Spoon was having the same nightmare as before. When they finally came to the three way intersection, Apple Bloom was trembling with fear. The sky was red and the trees a dark, twisted black.

“Are you sure some pony needs my help?” Apple Bloom asked.

Luna pointed to the gray filly on the road. It was Silver Spoon. She had yet to see them and she was still staring at the paths before, frozen in fear. Apple Bloom ran to the other filly and Luna used her magic to conceal herself. Now she would watch and see what happened…

“Silver Spoon!” Apple Bloom gasped once she got closer. “What are you doing out here?”

“Apple Bloom! Thank Celestia you came!” Silver Spoon ran to Apple Bloom and threw her hooves around the other filly’s neck. “I got lost and… and… I don’t know the way back, Apple Bloom!”

“All right, calm down. I’ll get us back.”

“You will? Thank you, Apple Bloom! Thank you so much!”

Apple Bloom blushed. “Ah, it’s no big deal. We’ll just take one of these here paths.” Without hesitation, Apple Bloom picked a direction and began walking. She’s always at least willing to try, Luna thought. Willing to put in the effort, even if she fails. She tries and tries again.

The two fillies wandered the dark and gloomy path. Silver Spoon was glued to Apple Bloom’s side, constantly glancing over her shoulder to make sure no pony was following them. “How do you know we’re going the right way?”

“I got a feeling. Plus, if we get lost, we’ll just go back.” Apple Bloom pointed to a light up ahead. “Look! Those are houses! It must be Ponyville! See? I told you this was right!”

“Apple Bloom! You did it! You saved me!” Silver Spoon ran out head and began jumping about. “I can’t believe it! I thought Diamond Tiara would come for me, but… but she never did. You did, Apple Bloom… You did…”

“Ah, think nothing of it,” Apple Bloom said with laugh. “I’m just glad I was finally able to help some pony out.”

Silver Spoon stopped jumping and looked at her long and hard. “Apple Bloom… I’m sorry I called you blank-flank all those times.”

Apple Bloom was shocked. “I… er… Don’t mention it. I’ve forgiven you.”

“R-really? Just like that?”

“Yeah. We’re just fillies. I’m sure you didn’t mean it. That’s what my sister says, anyway.”

Tears welled up in Silver Spoon’s eyes. “Wow… Thanks, Apple Bloom…”

Princess Luna laughed to herself as she stepped out of the nightmare world. The two fillies had needed each other in that moment and now they were happy. Both would have better dreams in the future…

Luna stepped through the many dreamscapes with a lighter step. She felt better about herself. She knew she could help the ponies around her. When she landed in the next dream she kept that positive spirit with her but she was soon confused.

Luna found herself standing in a small thatch-roof house. It was run-down and filthy… squalor at its best. She examined the tarnished furniture with a sneer. What was this?

“Stop, brother! Stop!”

Hiding herself, Luna watched the dream unfold. There was a small filly being carried by an older colt. The filly had an off-white coat and two-tone blue mane. At first Luna didn’t recognize the filly, but then she realized it was Coco Pommel… only younger.

It was rare to find ponies that dreamed of themselves younger or older than they really were. It typically wasn’t a good sign. Luna watched with a keen eye.

The older colt, the same colors as she was, threw her into the hallway closet and locked the door. “Ha! Now what’re you going to do, Coco? This’ll teach you to go touching my things!”

“It wasn’t me!” Coco Pommel’s muffled voice from the other side of the door shouted. “I never touched your things! Please let me out!”

“You’re gonna wait there,” the colt snickered before trotting out of the house.

Silence settled over everything and Luna stepped out of the shadows. Had the colt really locked Coco in the closet and left her there? Luna used her magic to see through the wall. The filly version of Coco Pommel was sitting in the closet, crying. Her face was bruised and her legs scuffed up. She was small for her age in the dream… small and weak.

Turning on the light in the closet, Coco rolled onto the shoes and stroked the jackets. Her cutie mark was a large-brimmed hat with a feather, the same hat hanging in the closet. “Why are they so mean to me?” she whispered to the clothing. “Why?”

With a heavy sigh she rummaged through the closet and pulled out an old sewing machine. Had she been locked in the closet before? Had she tucked that machine away to sew during her periods of isolation?

Coco Pommel began sewing. Each and every thing she created a dull color and same shade of her bruises. She was unhappy and it reflected in her work. Slowly, but with much skill, the filly Coco Pommel stitched a dark purple cape. It looked regal, despite the obvious dreary nature and, for a moment, Coco smiled.

The colt from the dream suddenly returned to the scene. He was accompanied by second colt, one who looked nearly identical. Luna suspected they were twins. Both colts opened the closet door with a slam and Coco jumped, startled by their appearance.

“B-brothers,” she stammered.

“What did we tell you about sewing,” one colt said, grabbing the cape she had made and holding it just high enough to be out of her reach. “Mom doesn’t want you ripping up anymore clothes for fabric!”

“I didn’t,” Coco tried to explain, reaching for the cape. “I bought the cloth myself! Mom can’t tell me what to do!”

Both the brothers laughed and jeered, pushing Coco around as she started to cry. “You’re gonna help dad work the farm when you’re older, Coco! You ain’t gonna be no fashion designer!”

Her brother mercilessly ripped up the cape in front of her, laughing the entire time. Coco tried to stop him, but she was too small and they were too big. When they were done they grabbed the sewing machine and smashed it against the ground, shattering the sewing end and breaking the needle.

“Try sewing now, Coco!” one brother pointed and laughed.

“You think your tears are gonna fix it?” the other brother mocked.

Coco ran from the house, hot tears streaming down her face. It was raining outside, the dream reflecting her inner turmoil. Luna couldn’t stand to see the mare so unhappy… Using her magic, she decided to do what she did with Silver Spoon… She would combine dreams and help another pony at the same time.

The dreams merged seamlessly and Coco didn’t even notice that she had run straight into a dreamscape of Ponyville. Tears still marking her face when she ran straight into Rarity, who had just stepped off the runway in her latest fashion-show dream.

“Oh my,” Rarity gasped. “Coco Pommel? Is that you?”

“R-Rarity?” The filly version of Coco stepped away. “Don’t look at me!” she suddenly burst out, hiding her face with her hooves.

“Whatever is the matter, dear? Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

“Don’t look! I don’t want you to see me like this!”

Rarity quickly hugged the little filly. “Coco… I’m your friend. I’m here to help you.”

Coco slowly calmed herself and turned back to Rarity. She was still in her filly form, making her easy to pick up and carry. “I… I thought you would laugh at me… like my brothers did…”

“I would never laugh at you, darling,” Rarity said flatly. “Why would I do that?”

“I’m… I’m so weak and…”

Rarity carried the filly to her boutique and waved away her concerns. “Pish posh! I will hear no such thing! An artist such as yourself must have inner confidence. That’s the only way to survive this world of harsh criticisms. You’re talented Coco. Everypony sees it.”

With a smile, Coco followed Rarity around her boutique. “You mean it?”

“Of course. I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

Luna watched from the shadows, a smile upon her face. Rarity was allowing Coco to sew with her, and the memories of her childhood were slowly being forgotten. It was a happy dream, one where two ponies with similar interests were together.

Remembering Pip, Luna decided to leave the dream early. She knew they would be okay now that they had each other. She wanted to find her own happiness tonight…

Luna walked into the dreamscape of Ponyville with a smile. She could see Pipsqueak already; he was sitting in front of his house, looking up at the sky. Not bothering to conceal herself, Luna approached the pinto colt with her head held high.

“Princess Luna!” he happily gasped. “You came back!” Pip immediately jumped up and hopped around her.

“A warm welcome to you, Pip.”

“I’ve been taking my duty seriously, princess! I’ve been watching the sky and hoping you’ll come to visit!”

“You’ve been waiting?”

“Yes! Of course! I set up watch and now I’ll be here whenever you need me!” Pip stopped in front of her and smiled. “You never have to worry about being alone again!”

“I must confess; your company has given me the light within to continue my duty as the Princess of the Night. I was hoping we could share an adventure again.”

“An adventure!?” he gasped in delight. “I love adventures! I’ve always wanted to sail the open sea as a pirate! It would be fun looking for buried treasure!”

Luna flew up into the air and activated her magic. “A pirate adventure it is!” In a flash the dream had shifted from Ponyville to the deck of a pirate ship. It was all worth it for the look in Pip’s eyes when he realized where they were.

He was so happy and… that was enough for Luna.

Night 5: Sweetie Belle, Discord & ???

Sweetie Belle stared at the clock with unflinching attention. The second hand ticked on, marching to the beat of time. When the minute hand finally clicked over to the hour, Sweetie Belle turned to the door.

Nothing.

Her ears dropped and her shoulders slumped. Disheartened, she slowly turned her attention back toward the clock. Tick. Tick. Tick. She watched the hands spin on… Slowly. Surely. Ticking.

Nothing.

The dream was silent save the ticking of the emotionless clock. Luna didn’t understand what was happening. Sweetie Belle had been staring at that clock since the start of the dream. Just… staring.

Luna stepped from the walls of Sweetie’s Belle house and stood before the tiny filly.

“Luna?” Sweetie Belle gasped. “Does… does that mean I’m dreaming again?”

“What do you think?” Luna asked with a smile.

“I… I don’t know… It seems so real…”

“What are you waiting for, Sweetie Belle? Why do you watch the clock so?”

“I’m waiting for my sister, Rarity. She said she was going to pick me up, but… but she was supposed to be here two hours ago.” Sweetie Belle hung her head and sighed. “I guess she had more important things to do…”

“Sweetie Belle… You know your sister loves you very much.”

“I know, I know. I just wish… I just wish she showed it more.” Sweetie Belle picked herself up from the floor and shook off her depression like a dog with water. “Nope! I’m not going to let it bother me! I know Rarity can get lost in her work sometimes. That’s okay. Mistakes happen.”

Luna smiled, again wishing to help ponies through their dreams. “Are you not busy then, Sweetie Belle?”

“Busy? I guess not.”

“Then come with me. There is another pony I wish you to see.”

“Okay!”

The two of them trotted from Sweetie Belle’s house and into the dreamscape of Ponyville. It had been midafternoon according to the clock, but outside it was night. Using her magic, Luna rearranged the dreams of her pony subjects, again linking ponies that would have never interacted with each other without her intervention. When they arrived, they were standing before an outdoor stage…

“Who wants to see more of The Great and Powerful Trixie!?”

Sweetie Belle looked up at the demonstration with wide eyes and fascination. “What’s going on?” she asked happily. “Is this a magician?”

“Who wants to see your new alicorn princess raise the stlab!?”

The crowd of ponies cheered and encouraged. Sweetie Belle got swept away in the excitement, even though she had no idea what a stlab was. Soon the giant multi-colored orb rose up into the sky, washing all the ponies with its kaleidoscope rays of light.

“Wow!” Sweetie Belle gasped. “That’s awesome!”

Trixie heard the filly and lifted her head with pride. “I know, dear. I am amazing.”

“Can I try?”

Trixie was suddenly taken aback. “Can you try?” she repeated with a dramatic flair. “I am the princess of the stlab! Only I can raise it!”

Sweetie Belle hung her head and sighed. “Oh… Just like Rarity… I guess I’ll never be given a chance to do anything…”

The dream crowd continued to cheer for Trixie, but now the unicorn was struck with guilt and compassion. Luna smiled to herself. It wasn’t enough to tell Trixie she should act differently to garner actual love from others, she had to want to change.

“Little filly,” Trixie addressed Sweetie Belle. “I’ve changed my mind. Your princess wants all her subjects to be happy. You can come up here and… and… help me raise the stlab, hm?”

“Really!?”

“Of course. I am not only awesome, but I’m also worthy of your love and affection.”

“Wow! All right!”

Sweetie Belle ran onto the stage and hoped up and down, excited to be a part of the action. Trixie smiled and was hesitant having the filly help her, but… Luna could tell it warmed Trixie’s heart to see the filly happy. Just like it warmed Luna’s heart to have Pip so close…

Just thinking about Pip made her turn away from the dream. The faster she got this done the quicker she could return to Pip. With a few powerful flaps of her wings, Luna ascended out of the dreamscape and into the next…

The gentle breeze and soothing tone of a peaceful river took Luna by surprise. The dream she had stepped into was lovely… a peaceful paradise. There were green fields of emerald grass, birds in the sky, a beautiful sunset and a single blossoming cherry tree. Nothing was out of place and the world was filled with order and reason.

Which made it all the more jarring when Luna spotted Discord near the trunk of the cherry tree. Slowly she walked over, confused by the serenity around her.

“Princess Luna,” Discord said aloud, without even bothering to turn and see her. “What brings you here?”

“D-Discord,” she stammered. “This is what you dream of?”

“Of what?”

“Of… order and peace? I thought, as a god of chaos, you would dislike such things…”

“Sometimes the things you cannot have are the ones you covet most,” he answered cryptically while picking a single pink flower from the tree. “What brings you here this evening?”

“I… I am the Princess of the Night. It is my duty to come into your dreams.”

“My dreams? Am I a citizen of Equestria now?”

“Of course.”

“How very interesting…” Discord released the flower to the wind and watched it sail away.

Luna walked up beside him and looked around. Nothing seemed amiss. “Is there anything troubling you, Discord? Anything at all?”

“Nothing your magic can help me with,” Discord earnestly replied. “My turmoil must be solved internally. As yours must.”

“Turmoil?” Luna asked incredulously. “I have long gotten over my turmoil.”

“We both know that’s a lie, princess,” Discord said with a half-smile.

“How would you know of my turmoil?”

“I know a lot of things. Like… you would much rather be in a different dream right now, wouldn’t you?”

Luna took a step back, confused by Discord’s freakish knowledge. “Perhaps I would, perhaps I wouldn’t.”

“It matters nothing to me where you are, princess. Why don’t you go to that dream now? I’m fine by myself. I’ll think some more…”

“Maybe I will.”

“Farewell, princess,” Discord said with a dark smile.

Luna turned away from the chaotic creature and flew through the sky. She never understood Discord. Even now, seeing his dreams, she still didn’t understand. That doesn’t matter, Luna thought. I’ve found my rhythm. I know how to help ponies now… Nothing will get in my way. Nothing.

Luna touched down into the dreamscape of Ponyville with a smile. She wanted to take Pip on another adventure tonight. A happy adventure. One with caves and puzzles and dragons… She flew through the streets, eager to see the tiny pinto colt.

“Pip!” she called out. “Pip! Where are you?”

The deafening silence bothered her. Didn’t he say he would wait for her? Didn’t he say he would be outside? Her guardian of the night?

“Pip?” she asked the empty ghost town. “Pip? I… I’m not playing.”

Silence.

Luna raced through the streets. There was nopony here. It was empty. Only the wind and her shadow were companions. Where was Pipsqueak? Wasn’t this his dream? Wasn’t this where she was supposed to meet him? Where was he?

“Pip! Pip, where are you!?” she called out.

All that responded was her echo.

Standing in the middle of town square, Luna took a few deep breaths. Perhaps he was playing hide and seek? It’s just a game, Luna tried to reassure herself. Just a game… I’ll find him. I’ll find him soon enough.

“You will never find him.”

Luna cringed away from the dark and malevolent voice. “W-who is there?” she asked, her voice cracking from fright. She already knew the answer…

“You know me. I know you. We are one in the same.”

“No!” Luna immediately barked back. “No! We are not the same!” She backed away and watched in terror as shadows began slithering through the streets of the dreamscape… creeping ever closer… “What have you done with Pip!?”

“Pip… Stop fooling yourself, Luna.”

The shadows and darkness ate away at the town, destroying all that was left of the dream. The evil and hate was all around her now… an aura of bitterness and rage… she couldn’t shake it. She could never shake it.

“You thought this was all real? Poor, stupid, Luna…”

“What… what do you mean?” Luna asked, trying to keep her composure. What was she going to do? The Nightmare Force was all around her now… threatening to drown out her very existence…

“You’re dreaming, Luna. You were always dreaming.”

“What? I… I don’t understand.” Luna backed away, keeping her head low and her magic ready. She would attack the darkness if need be, but she knew that wouldn’t help much. What was she going to do?

“You’re dreaming. You’re dreaming of helping ponies solve their dreams. You’re dreaming of being their princess once more… You’re dreaming you were back in Equestria… back with your sister…”

“I am back on Equestria! I got rid of you! The elements of harmony saved me! I’m free!” Luna was yelling now, trying hard to push the darkness back with everything she had, even her voice.

“You know in your heart that isn’t true. If the elements really saved you, why do you still feel my presence? Why do you still suffer the same bitterness as before? You’re a dream stalker, Luna. You live in your dreams and create worlds with which to cope with your problems. You’re nothing more than a husk for my magic to dwell in.”

“No!” Luna defiantly shouted. “No! You’re wrong! I’m not dreaming! I’m not!”

She struggled to break free but the more she tried to escape, the more she realized… She was dreaming. Luna spread her wings and tried to fly, but right-side up was now reversed and all of reality false… She was dreaming… This was a dream… But did that make everything a dream? Had she been dreaming when she helped all the ponies? When she spoke to Discord? When she played with Pip? Had they all been a figment of her imagination?

Luna crumpled to the ground, shaken by these troubling questions. “No…” she whispered to herself. “No… it can’t be…”

“Can’t it?” the Nightmare Force whispered in her ears. “But fear not, Luna. Close your eyes and dream further… block out your problems with a dreamscape so pleasant you’ll never return. It’s the only way to find happiness, Luna. The only way to survive your fears.”

The Nightmare Forces crept up on her, blocking out all light and sound. It was dark now. Unnaturally dark. Luna shivered, fearful of the darkness consuming her body… “I can’t… I can’t become Nightmare Moon again… Leave me alone… Leave me alone…”

“Dream me away, Luna. Fall asleep in your dream and never return to this place. Pip is waiting for your there. They all are. Your sister… your subjects… Close your eyes, Luna. Dream of them and forget you ever saw me…”

Luna closed her eyes and wiped away the tears on her face. Was this all just a dream? Had it all really been in her mind’s eye? “Somepony… Anypony…Help me…”

Suddenly a light appeared! A light so marvelous and stunning it cast out the shadows and the darkness with just a few rays. Luna blinked back the brilliance, stunned by its presence.

“Leave my sister alone,” Celestia commanded, the rays of the sun emanating from her horn. With a wave of her head an arch of light cascaded through the darkness and banished it from Luna.

“S-sister,” Luna said, barely able to believe her eyes. “You…”

Without warning, Luna jerked awake.

She sat up on her bed, covered in her own sweat and shaking in fear. This was her room in the Canterlot Castle… And Celestia was next to her bed. The sun was up and all seemed well…

“Sister?” Luna gasped, barely able to understand what was happening.

“My dearest sister,” Celestia said with a sad smile. “You were having a nightmare.”

“I… I was… How did you know to come rescue me?”

Celestia levitated a letter over to her bed. “I received this message the other day from a pony in Ponyville. It seems they were correct. Why don’t read it?”

Luna glanced down at the parchment and stared at it for a moment before comprehending the writing. It was from a foal but still legible. It read:

Dear Princess Celestia,

I promised Princess Luna I would be her Guardian of the Night, but I’m not old enough to move to Canterlot yet. Could you please watch over Princess Luna until then? I’m afraid she might be having nightmares and she doesn’t have a princess that will help her unless you’re there to wake her up.

I will see you once I become a royal guard.

Pipsqueak

Stunned by the contents of the letter, Luna allowed it to sink in for just a few moments. Pipsqueak really had saved her… If he hadn’t written this letter… who knows what would have happened.

“I think the colt is taken with you,” Celestia said with a smile. “I’m glad he was looking out for you like he did.”

“Yes…” Princess Luna muttered. “I’m glad.”

“You’ll be glad to hear that he also got all the ponies in Ponyville to write you thank you letters. They’re out in the grand hall whenever you’re ready to read them.” Celestia turned and left Luna a moment to recover from her terrible nightmare.

Luna glanced back down at the letter and studied it. Without hesitation, she pinned it up to the wall next to a picture of the moon she kept hanging by her bed. Pip was her star. The light that guided her when all else was dark. The light that was always by the moon’s side.

Thank you, Pip, she thought. My Guardian of the Night.

The End

Author's Note

The sequel: The Guardian of the Night.

Night 1: Trixie, Rarity & Pinkie Pie

“Who would like to see more of The Great and Powerful Trixie!?”

The crowd of ponies gathered in front of the stage began clopping their hooves together. Trixie held her head up high and took her time straightening her large-brimmed hat.

“Of course you want to see more,” Trixie said with a smile, trotting to the other side of the stage so that all the ponies could get a good look at her. “I am magnificent, after all.”

Snips and Snails walked onto stage, both of them buff, full-grown, toned stallions. They stood on either side of Trixie and bowed, kissing her hooves and muttering compliments. She allowed them nuzzle her hooves for a few moments before pulling away and motioning for them to carry her back to the center of the stage. They happily carried her, panting in desire.

Princess Luna watched the spectacle from on-high, hiding in the light of the moon. Trixie’s dreams were the same thing over and over again and it was starting to become cringe-worthy. However… Luna knew Trixie was still one of her subjects… she couldn’t give up on the dream half-way through because she didn’t care for it.

Twilight Sparkle slowly crawled up onto the stage, her tail between her legs and her ears down. Trixie smiled upon seeing her.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie said with a laugh. “Look who has come crawling back.”

“I’m so sorry, Trixie… I was wrong. You are amazing.”

Trixie held her head even higher. “And?”

“And… and they should have made you an alicorn princess!”

Luna could barely take any more. Normally she stayed to help ponies through their nightmares but it was apparent to her now that Trixie needed to work through other things besides fear. Shrouding herself in darkness, Luna sailed down to the stage and concealed her presence. Most of the time she didn’t reveal herself to her subjects in their dreams. If they felt as though she was always solving their problems for them they would become dependent… so she hid her messages as much as possible.

Using her magic, Princess Luna caused the dream Snips and Snails to speak to Trixie for her.

“Trixie,” Snips started. “Sometimes a humble pony is the best pony.”

Snails nodded. “Yes. Assuming responsibility without demand for reward is the mark of a true honorable mare or stallion.”

Those weren't words Snips and Snails would say… but this was a dream. Trixie barely even realized they were acting weird. She did, however, turn to face them with an odd expression.

“You know, you boys are right…” Trixie turned back to Twilight with curled smile. “I should have more responsibility! I should be an alicorn princess! Me! The Great and Powerful Trixie!”

The dream took a turn for the weird when Twilight Sparkle lost her wings. Trixie jumped down from Snips and Snails and was suddenly engulfed in a flood of light. Luna blinked back the brightness and gawked at the now “alicorn” Trixie.

She had two sets of wings, an extra-long tail and a white mane that flowed with magic.

“I shall be the new princess!” Trixie declared. “Celestria raises the sun, Luna raises the moon, but now I will create a third time of day! I shall rise the… er… stlab! A new celestial body that will rise in between the moon and the sun! All hail your new princess! Your princess of the stlab!”

An orb of rainbow color rose up into the sky, larger and brighter than even the sun. Rays of kaleidoscope color washed over the ponies of Ponyville, the brilliance of the stlab more than some could bare. Even Luna had to shield her eyes whenever she turned her head in its direction. All of the ponies in the crowd cheered, some even throwing money and flowers. Trixie flew over them, showcasing her beautiful wings.

Princess Luna sighed. This wasn’t what she had expected. Using her magic again, she spoke through Snips and Snails.

“Responsibility made is a false burden. Its responsibility assumed that is the most admirable,” Snips said.

Trixie glared but it wasn’t long until she was struck with another idea. “You’re right… I shall become a protector of Equestria and earn the love of all the ponies within!” Trixie trotted over to Twilight and stroked her mane as one would stroke a pet. “I shall become the seventh element of harmony! The element of power! The most important element of them all!”

She jumped into the air and light swirled all around her. A crown, necklace and hoof ring appeared on her, all designed with Trixie’s cutie mark. The jewelry glowed with an intense power.

“As a matter of fact,” Trixie continued, “I’m so powerful I don’t even need the other elements! I’m stronger without them!”

“Of course!” Twilight nodded along. “It all makes sense now! That’s why I could never defeat you! You were the strongest pony all along and I should have known! I’m so blind! How can you ever forgive me, Trixie? I was so terrible to you!” Twilight fell to the stage in a fit of uncontrolled sobbing. Suddenly, Prince Blueblood, Shining Armor, Fancy Pants and Big Mac all jumped onto the stage and began throwing flowers and wedding rings, each starry-eyed with desire.

Luna was at a complete loss for what to do. Everything she had tried had failed and the dream was just getting weirder. She could just rearrange the dream to fit her purposes but… she decided against it. She would allow Trixie her delusional fantasies for the time being. Perhaps another night she would attempt to teach Trixie the value of being humble.

Taking to the sky, while avoiding the giant rainbow orb, Luna happily left the dreamscape behind.

Without waking, Luna descended upon another dream. She was the Princess of the Night, and she took her duty seriously. Each night she would slip from dream to dream, checking on her subjects and helping them with her wisdom when she could.

Some dreams she merely watched and observed. Some dreams she would simply offer advice, like Trixie’s, but other dreams… Some dreams she felt she was needed to personally handle them. Either stop the dream or personally help the pony deal with an issue that could potentially become a much larger problem if neglected.

Luna flew into a dream that felt very similar to the last. There was a crowd of ponies gathered outside a stage. Luna immediately recognized the event as a fashion show.

“Spike! It’s almost time!”

“Yes, Rarity!”

A long runway was built out so that the crowd of ponies could gather around and inspect the clothing on display. Luna again hid her presence, wondering what would happen. She was familiar with Rarity’s dreams; any of the ruling ponies of Ponyville, really. These dreams didn’t usually need Luna’s intervention, but occasionally…

“It’s time!” Rarity shouted, throwing back to the curtain and wandering out onto the runway. She wore a striking gown with elaborate ties and stitching. It was beautiful without being gaudy, and done in a white and blue theme. Rarity walked the line, proud of her accomplishment.

The second dress that came out behind her was a ratty, half-dress, half-shirt, also done in a blue and white theme. It was nowhere near as detailed and beautiful and Luna would have gone so far as to say it was very gaudy. Diamonds and sapphires were covering every inch of it… the dress didn’t look comfortable at all.

Suddenly the crowd of ponies went wild with excitement. Rarity held her head high and dismissively waved away their excitement. “Oh, don’t worry, darlings. You’ll be able to see this gown again at the Grand Galloping Gala.”

Much to her dismay, the ponies all began pointing and admiring the second dress.

“What a beautiful dress! I love diamonds!”

“I agree! So many sapphires!”

“I love it! I must have it! Who created it!? I must know! They’re a genius!”

Rarity balked at their excitement for the second dress. “B-but that dress is… is… awful! And it’s a clearly a terrible copy of my own!”

Nopony listened to her. They all flocked to the lesser dress and lavished it with praise.

“But mine took work and… and… skill,” Rarity continued to try and explain the merits of her dress but the crowd of ponies only became annoyed.

“You’re just jealous!”

“You wish you were as talented as this fashion designer!”

“I like sapphires!”

Luna watched from the sidelines, concerned with how Rarity would react. These types of dreams were common… fear of being rejected, unseen, forgotten and unappreciated. These were dreams Luna had experienced herself… they had filled her with a bitterness that still linger to this day, and it worried her.

Rarity took a deep breath and held back tears. Spike, her dragon suitor, ran to her side. “Rarity? Are you okay?”

“Spike… I need to go back to the drawing board.”

“But that dress took you weeks to finish!”

“I need to try harder,” Rarity firmly stated as she hoped off the stage and wandered away from the crowd. “Clearly my hoof isn’t on the beating pulse of fashion and that cannot be.”

“Aren’t you upset?” Spike asked, trailing after her.

“I’m happy with my own work, Spike… but that’s not good enough. If I want to be a famous pony in Canterlot I need to appeal to the masses. We will try again and return another day.”

Luna slipped back into the shadows, contemplating what she had just witnessed. Rarity was a much different pony than she was. An artist’s ability to put up with the unappreciative had always confused Luna. So much hard work… wasted. And why? Because the masses were blind to real beauty. All they want is what they know… just like how they prefer the sun over the glorious moon…

Unsettled by her thoughts, Luna decided to leave this dream earlier than normal and slip into yet another dreamscape…

The next dream she slipped into was confusing. Luna looked around and realized she was in a building. It was a building used for theater... another dream with a stage. I’m beginning to see a theme with tonight’s dreams, she thought to herself.

Silence.

It was rare for Luna to experience a dream with no sound. She studied the contents and soon found herself at a peculiar scene. Pinkie Pie, another ruler of Ponyville, was busy focusing her attention on a wall of drying paint. Twilight Sparkle was standing over her, her facial expression blank, but somehow intense. Watching every single breath Pinkie Pie took… her eyes wide and her pupils constricted.

The minutes were painfully long and Luna found herself becoming ever more confused. What was happening here? Pinkie Pie stared at the wall as though her life depended on it and Twilight watched her like a hawk hungry for pray.

“Ah-choo!” Pinkie Pie sneezed, breaking her eye-contact with the wall. “Wait!” she immediately shouted. “Please don’t send me away! I didn’t mean to! I swear! Please don’t send me away! I can’t live without you!”

Without mercy or hesitation Twilight Sparkle blasted Pinkie Pie with a stream of powerful magic. It caused Pinkie Pie to swell up and implode, transforming her into a sprite of magic and whisking her away from the theater.

Luna followed the sprite of magic all the way into the Everfree Forest. Pinkie Pie was teleported to an underground cave and her body locked inside the Mirror Pool. The surface of the pool was like a glass window and below was nothing but water.

Within moments Pinkie Pie began to drown. She slammed her hooves against the glass but it was no use. The glass didn’t even crack. Panicking, she tried to swim to the other side, but the entire surface was unbreakable. At the edge she attempted to dig her way out, but nothing worked. Water was filling her mouth and her face was becoming blue… Would this dream ever end?

Much to Luna’s horror, Pinkie Pie’s dream continued. She struggled with breathing, obviously gulping down water. Several minutes had gone by and Luna had seen enough. She stepped out of hiding and smashed the dream glass open, releasing Pinkie Pie from its imprisonment.

Pinkie Pie gasped for air and coughed, momentarily confused. When she finally got her strength she slowly pulled herself up into a slouched sitting position. When she looked up at Luna her mane was flat and the color of her coat dull. “P-Princess Luna?” she whispered before coughing again. Water spilled from her mouth by the bucket-full.

“Yes, child,” Luna answered, bowing slightly. Pinkie Pie had been one of the ponies to save her from Nightmare Moon, after all.

“You saved me…?”

“I am your friend. Is that not what friends do?”

“I…” Pinkie Pie hung her head, water dripping from every inch of her. “My friends… My friends don’t want me anymore… They… they think I’m annoying. They said if I look away from the paint… they’ll send me away. They hate me, Princess Luna… I don’t know how to make them happy and… they hate me…”

Her dire tone shook Luna. “Fear not, child. ’Twas a dream.”

Pinkie Pie looked up at her with wide eyes. They were glassed over with water, nearly on the verge of crying. “W-what did you say?”

“Your friends do not hate you. This is a dream.” Luna placed a hoof gently on Pinkie Pie’s shoulder and attempted to give her a warm smile.

“Why didn’t you say so sooner!? I’ve always wanted to know I was dreaming!” Pinkie Pie cheered, her mane bursting back to its crazy-curly self. Before Luna could get her bearings, Pinkie Pie suddenly transformed into a colossal-sized pink dragon. She flew out of the cave, breaking the walls as though they were wet paper, and sailed into the sky, confetti trailing behind her. When she got to Ponyville she breathed cotton candy down on the ponies as if it were a fire breath.

“I am candy! I am cheer!” Pinkie roared to the dream citizens.

Luna shook her head, happy that this crazy nightmare was finally over. Just in time, she thought to herself. It’s almost time for the sun to rise… She flew out of the dreamscape; happy she helped but conscious of the fact that not a single thanks was given for her endless task...