Only in my dreams

She watched as his world was being torn apart. Shadows spewed across the room as a young boy watched his parents fight between each other. She didn’t want to watch what was happening, but as she often found, there was no way to look away from the scene before her. Her eyes were glued to the image of the boy, crying in his room, while his parents were arguing about something that likely didn't even matter.

Night after night she was forced into the same situation. Sometimes it wasn’t so bad. Every now and then, she would be lucky enough to observe his days in school. But even then, the other kids would bully him. But that's how his life was. It had always been like this since the day he was born. The very same day she started having dreams about him.

With all her power, she was still unable to help the poor soul. No matter how much she struggled, no matter how much she tried and the effort she put into it, she was never able to help. It made her feel weak. A feeling that had torn her apart since the first time it struck her. Now she had to face it, every single night until the boy's death. Only one thing would ever be able to help it. And she knew what it was…

oOo

Celestia's eyes slid open. Her room was dark at the moment of her awakening. Something most ponies didn’t experience on a daily basis. While most ponies would wake to the sun beating down on them through their curtains, she always awoke to the darkness of the night.

The beating of her heart pounded against her chest, but slowed as she realized that it was just another dream... just another dream.  She sat up in her bed to catch her breath. Her eyes scoured the room, yet they still left her unable to see anything in the penumbra.

Hundreds upon hundreds of nights now. Will I ever get a rest from this torment?

She slowly slithered out of her bed, too tired to light the room with her magic. She felt her way around till finally bumping into the dresser that rested across from her bed.  Opening up some of the drawers, she removed multiple pieces of her gold regalia from their respective positions. For a short moment, the thought of stepping down from her position and leaving Equestria under Luna’s control passed her.

No. I am the princess of Equestria! It is my job and destiny to watch over my subjects in the day! I cannot simply quit due to a few bad nights rest!

Celestia slipped on all the small gold pieces and sighed as she walked onto the balcony of her room.

From where she was standing, she could see her sister watching over all of Equestria. Once again, Luna had waited patiently for another whole night. And again, she waited at the highest point of the castle, watching over the citizens  as they slept . Luna's face told Celestia that her job didn't please her, but no matter how the lunar princess felt, that is what she was bound to do by the fate given to her at birth. Maybe one day, Luna would find something greater to have hope in. But for now, there was nothing but the dreaded life that bounded her to her position.

Celestia looked up into the dark blue sky. Her sister's work was written all over it, as it had been for the past many years. Her dazzling constellations were great works of art for all ponies to see… Now only if they ever saw them. Sometimes, Celestia hated herself for being the one to take away the night to replace it with a brighter, yet less creative day.

And even in a land made of magical ponies, nature dictated that every night must end for a new day to begin.

She spread her wings and flew up to where Luna was perched. Hearing Celestia coming,  she crooked her head to the side to watch the destroyer of her works come to her side. Celestia noticed her sisters staring, but ignored it in hopes that Luna wouldn't start questioning her.

“It’s getting worse, sister. I can see it in your eyes.” Luna observed,  "What is it that could be so horrid that you can't tell it to your sister?"

“It is not your problem Luna." Celestia answered, in a hushed tone, "Just leave it be.”

“But it is my problem. Your dreams are hurting you, yet you won’t allow me to view them. I am the princess of the night, the viewer of dreams, but before everything, I am your sister. I insist, what IS the problem?”

“I’ve already said it once." Celestia replied, "It’s nothing you should be worried about. Just let it be. In time, it'll end.” It was the truth. The terrible, cruel truth. One day her dreams would end. Even if it took a hundred years, they would end in the death of a boy who was tormented by his father since birth.

Luna wanted to say something about her sisters decisions, but decided it was best to not anger her.

“Fine. If that is how you want it, that is how it will be. But remember that I offered my help.” Luna said. She flared her wings, preparing to leave her sisters presence. "I will have breakfast ready for us. Perhaps we can discuss this then." She sounded more like she was giving a demand than asking Celestia to comply.

Luna flew to the main hall, leaving Celestia on the high perch. Down to the ground below, only the stones of the castle ground laid in wait for the day to start.

Oh sister of mine, if only you could understand.

Celestia sighed again as her horn lit up, creating a bright beacon of light in the darkness of the night.

The sun slowly started to rise over the horizon, the moon setting at the same pace. Her horn lit once more as she cast another spell to keep the sun on a steady pace through the day.

Once finished, she took a few moments to watch as the ponies came out of their home and experienced the new day. While she never told anyone, she envied their ability to so easily wake from their rest and smile once more. "I suppose it is time to join my sister."

oOo

Celestia landed in the kitchen, where Luna was waiting for her. Meals for the both of them had been prepared and served. They sat in silence as they ate, the tension becoming thick enough to cut.

It wasn’t long before Luna broke the silence that had befallen the two.

“Sister, it is for the best that you allow me to view your dreams. You must think of your subjects here. If you continue on with this, you will soon be unable to complete your tasks.”

Celestia sighed as she processed what her sister said. It was true. Luna always had a strong grasp on subjects of these sorts. Luna could actually help her in this case. However, Celestia didn’t keep secrets without reason. This knowledge could only hurt her sister and that served reason enough to keep Luna out her dreams by means of magic.

“I wish I could tell you, sweet sister of mine, but this is not something you need to know nor should you know about.”

Luna’s face scrunched.

“But…”

She couldn’t think of anything to say that may change her sisters mind.

“But nothing Luna. It is nothing of your business.”

Luna looked off to her side, a sad expression littered her face. She got to her hooves and walked off, Celestia's eyes followed her the whole way.

Celestia sighed once more.

I know what's need to be done.

oOo

Hours later, Celestia found herself wandering the halls of her castle. Every few moments passing another door. She wasn't looking for some fancy one with gold adorning the doors or handle, like most in the castle. Instead, she stopped in front of a large yet plain cherry wood one.

She took a deep breath, and…

Behind the wooden door, a grand hall awaited Celestia. Statues could be found in every corner, depicting stages of various events in Equestrian history. She continued on, stopping only when another more ornate door blocked her path.

She stared at the the blockade for a moment, questioning whether or not her actions were appropriate. Her heart beat in her chest, double the normal speed. If what she wanted was possible, she would be the creator of magic that could change life for ponies forever. If not, she would be forced through a lifetimes worth of heartbreak.

This is for the best, and for his profit as well. I hereby make a promise to you, boy.  I will bring you home.

Celestia opened the large double door with her magic, not hesitating a moment to walk inside. Twelve sets of eyes were cast upon her, but only looked back at only one. The one with a long white beard and coat that had grayed with the passing seasons. One of the most magically talented unicorns in recent history.

“Princess, what a pleasant surprise!" Said the stallion. She recognized the stallion as Bliss Endeavor. A very fitting name for a somepony who had always worked his best to get whatever he wanted. He truly was a stallion who worked for what he got. "I take it that you have need for something?”

She nodded to him.

“Yes, I do indeed need your help. In fact, I need the help of everypony here.”

“All of us?” he asked.

“Yes. I have a special task for all of you. And everypony here will have to devote themselves to it's completion.”

They looked between each other, slowly nodding to signify that they will do as she asks. Not that they wouldn't have, but it wasn't common for all twelve of the ponies in the Council of Arcane Arts to take on a single task at once. Whenever they did, it was certainly a massive undertaking that would require all of them putting in a great amount of time to complete.

“Of course, Princess." Bliss Endeavor bowed. "What is it that you ask of us?”