Conception

by TechohGirl

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Mystery
Length: 40479

Welcome to the intriguing story of dreams; a pony by the name of Alica finds herself diving into dream after dream to fight against a growing darkness. With the help of friends, mysteries unfold, and an epic story is to be told...

A ubiquitical darkness had been created in Equestria. Ponies have fought against it; Star Swirl the Bearded, the Royal Sisters, and many ancient figures have seen it come into being in one form or another. It is said that there is one pony behind it – a single pony who started it all – who had the ability to dream incomprehensible realities.

Alica, a "simple" pony who just wants to dream, finds herself being dragged through the darkness of Equestria. She discovers ancient secrets once kept hidden for ages, and undergoes an epic adventure through the universe in hopes to stop this growing evil. With help of Twilight, Luna, a mysterious pony known as The Wanderer, Discord, friends, visions, and even The Darkness itself, Alica begins to find the truth…

…The truth about dreams, love, and reality.

This fan fiction is inspired off of the ground-breaking film, Inception, and based on the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. All rights are reserved to their rightful owners. (I would call this a crossover, but the there is not a single character from Inception in this fan fiction. Most everything is original plotline, but I do have many different characters from MLP.)

Also, the cover art was made by The Great and Powerful Brittney (Ackerman)! http://littleblackraencloud.deviantart.com

If you are a musician/VA and you wish to be a part of my large-scale Conception albums, then feel free to contact me through a PM so we can collaborate. As another side note, I am also accepting people who wish to help edit and give feedback before new chapters are released. Again, just contact through a PM. Thankyou, and I hope you enjoy this highly ambiguous, adventurous story. ^^

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-09-22 04:53:48 UTC

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter edited by Outcast98

Chapter 1: The Beginning

As Alica woke up abruptly, she looked around, then down to her hooves. Sighing, she realized she had failed again, for she was now sitting in her pillow-engulfed bed fully awake.

This unicorn mare had purple-tinted eyes and a rather messy mane. Most of it stuck up and over the side of her head. She considered it a style, but since she just woke up, even she, herself, would consider it a mess that had to be dealt with. It stood out as a brilliant blu-ish purple color along her light sky-blue coat. A few streaks of vibrant magenta ran along the underside of her mane. After hoof-combing it, she continued to lie in bed, trying to remember dreams, if any, of the previous night. A few minutes passed, and it was soon clear that frustration had started to build inside her.

“Why can’t I ever control my dreams?! Or even remember them, at least?! Oh, I don’t know, maybe it’s my pillow setup….” She quickly turned around and moved a few around, then threw her body into them, stuffing her face. Rolling over, she continued rambling to herself. “Nah, I changed it last night… and THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS TODAY!” She shouted obnoxiously, furiously throwing her pillows across the room.

A voice came from downstairs. “Are you really talking to yourself again?”

“No! I am YELLING! There’s a HUGE difference!” She shouted back at the top of her lungs. Her face was now red with exhaustion as she swung a pillow into her bed. Sometimes her older sister was a little too caring of her, because, as expected, she came into the room to find Alica in yet another ‘morning fit.’ Soon-after she opened the door, a pillow smacked right into her head. This time, it stuck exactly centered onto her horn, puncturing the pillow, leaving feathers to fly in all directions.

Alica stared for a few seconds, and right after her sister, Morning Underthought, sighed with a face-hoof -- or more-so, a “pillow-hoof” -- she couldn't hold it in anymore; Alica just had to laugh.

Morning smiled softly, hidden under the pillow, as she heard her little sister make her cute little giggle. Levitating the mortified pillow off of her head, she started to giggle along with her. After a single second, they were both laughing their heads off.

“Usually I miss badly with my throws!” Alica couldn't stop laughing as she tried her best to finish what she was saying, “-How surprised you must have been!” Her face was once-more red, but for different reasons than a few seconds before.

The older unicorn sat down on the bed as she, herself, got a bit calmer. Her short, blue-purple mane was combed to the side, as usual. It fit along nicely with her simple light-grey, purple-tinted coat. Unlike Alica, she tried to keep her mane and tail nicely plain and professional. She simply looked patiently to Alica with a small smile and soft, purple eyes. She waited for her to get her laughs out as the little unicorn continued to roll around in her bed. After a couple minutes, Alica sat up next to her sister, breathing heavily. “Hehe, I guess you must be getting tired of me doing this every morning…”

“You know, not at all! I love seeing you happy, and you know that.” Morning chuckled for a second, “and I think you are mistaken, because it is you who looks to be getting pretty tired. I mean, you must really want to go into those dreams to be causing this ruckus all the time…”

Alica beamed. “Of course! There could be so many things I could do! Going to the supermarket, flying to the moon, eating hay, being a Pegasus!”

With a small hint of confusion on Morning’s face, she responded, “but…. Half of those things…. Um, never mind, I am just glad to see that you are happy now.” She smiled at the little pony and ruffled her mane with a hoof.

“Hey! You’re messing it up!” Alica said quickly as she tried to fix it with her hoof.

Morning laughed slightly. “You just got up, and besides, your mane is always messy.”

“Says the mare who cut her whole mane off,” she responded casually as she continued to get her ruffled mane oriented into place.

“Hey! It is exactly two inches, thank you very much, not at all ‘whole mane cut off.’ You also realize that has nothing to do with what I just said?”

Not needing to look back to her, Alica continued. “Yup, doesn't not make it true, though, or am I not wrong?”

Alica’s older sister face-hoofed again with an utterly confused look on her face. “You are not making any sense with that double-negative... or.... triple-negative? Well, as I was saying, why don’t you just simply brush your mane? I am telling you, one day a bird will make a nest in that thing, lay an egg, and you will have constant chirping everywhere you go.”

After Alica finished 'fixing' her mane, she looked back at her sister. “But it’s a STYLE, I’m telling you. And I wouldn't mind having a family of birds with me!"

"You are so silly Ali." Morning gave a small giggle. "I just love how unique you are to me."

"Oh, um... Yeah, unique...” She looked down, not knowing whether to feel proud or alone. Just then, a rainbow of colors started to line the edges of her sight, signaling the start of another vision. For her whole life, visions have come off and on, but every time have meant something, whether it be from the past, present, or future. For this particular vision, it seemed to be one of the shorter ones from the past. Reality temporarily blurred out as she saw the faces of her parents who she never properly met before. Her dad was an earth pony with a blue coat, along with brown eyes and mane to match his cutie mark, a solid-brown mountain. Her mother was a beautiful purple unicorn with a stylish light-blue mane that, very slightly, was twirled to hang over one side of her head. Her soft, light-blue eyes looked at Alica very lovingly. Behind her parents was the pink pony that she continued to see here and there in her visions. Typically, she was in the background.

Her older sister held Alica’s forehoof, breaking her out of her trance. “You know, I don’t think it’s all that bad as what other ponies say ‘being unique’ is. I think it’s something that gives you… ‘Good character.’” She smiled softly to Alica as she made eye contact. Tears welled up slightly in Alica’s eyes, and she abruptly embraced her older sister into a tight, comforting hug. Morning stroked Alica’s mane slightly, but not hard enough as to 'mess it up' again, thankfully.

Morning is such a good sister… Oh how much I wish what she said really helps to fix me inside… but, even if it doesn't…. she’s still here to support me, Alica thought to herself as she snuggled tightly to Morning. Just then, a thought passed by her mind, and she shifted in place.

“Hey… um, Morning?”

“Yes, Alie?”

“Um…. With Mom and Dad…. What happened?”

Morning tensed up, freezing after hearing that question from her again. She quickly calmed herself, and responded. “You know that you have asked this a hundred times, and every time I answer, I say that don’t want to talk about it?”

“Do you want to talk about it now?”

Morning hesitated to find an answer, but eventually decided. “Yes, you have… you have waited long enough…. You are a grown mare, after all. I still cannot believe that, because you have always been my little sis-“

Alica hugged tightly, cutting off her response, “I will always be proud to call you my older sister, Morning.” Nuzzling her slightly and getting into a warm, comfortable position, she urged her, smiling. “So, you were saying?”

Morning stared blankly, and then shook her head so as to continue. “Oh, yes, about that, I was actually going to say that I would… tell you tomorrow-“

Cutting her off again -- “What?! But you-“

Stopping her by placing a hoof in her mouth -- “I just need some time to think about what to say, okay? It is a big deal to tell you all of this, and I will not take it lightly. You know I don’t break promises, and right now, I say, I promise that I will tell you tomorrow morning. When we wake up, got it?”

Alica hesitated, but then agreed. “Fine, I just hope you don’t forget about it...”

Morning gave a small sigh, smiling, then chuckled. “Since when do I forget about my little sister? You mean the world to me, you know.”

Alica replied, “yeah…. You've always been there for me, too.” She hugged her again. “It’s just really been hurting me, not knowing my parents….”

“I know…. But I was doing it to protect you.” She pulled her back. “It was the only thing I could possibly do so you don’t fall apart…. Like me.”

Alica said back, smiling softly, “but, sis, you don’t look like you've fallen apart. You probably look better than I am right now... I thought I was the one with problems.”

"You see…. I've learned to control it, and the reason I’m hesitant into telling you the truth is that I’m worried you might not learn to do the same.” She smiled back softly to her little sister.

“That makes sense…. I feel ready, though. Don’t you think I've waited long enough?” Alica asked.

"Yes, I have said before, you have waited long enough. Just hold on until tomorrow. Besides, you have got a big day at work today, right?”

Alica beamed brightly, “Oh yeah! Of course!” She paused for a second, “...it’s going to be boring and exciting all at the same time, all day."

Morning laughed. “Well, not everypony works at the club, so you should be proud.”

“Da Club!” Alica corrected. “You gotta add the ‘da.’ It’s 'da' name. ...but we aren't really that big anyway, so I don't know why I should be proud.” Morning laughed slightly at Alica’s correction to the official name of the club, 'Da Club,' and then got up, kissing her on the forehead.

“I love you Alica, but I've got to get going to work, myself. You know that I work earlier than you do. I should have headed off five minutes ago… We start a little earlier this time.”

After giving a quick hug, Alica waved her off. “Good luck!”

Morning said back, walking out of the room, “it is no problem at all, I just work at the marketplace, nowhere special. I should be the one wishing you luck!”

With Alica giving a smile, they said goodbye one last time and the door closed.

=     =      =

For hours, as usual, Alica fiddled around with her music box. She used what magic she knew of with telekinesis to be able to learn to find a way to play her own notes with it. So far, over the years, she perfected the C and G note, but was still trying to find the way to play fully behind the framing. After hours upon hours, she found that she would be late to work if she didn't stop soon. That aside, she was also getting slightly frustrated with it.

As she started walking out the door from her house, she took a deep breath to try and get her head together. It all seemed so routine to her at this point. She wakes up, gets stressed, plays her music box -- otherwise dozing off -- and daydreams at the day-club until she actually gets time to sleep at night; although, something was at least a bit different today, for the day-club had decided to host a specialty 'night-club.' She sighed in attempts to continue getting her head together.  She looked around, and saw the nice scenery of town with a few ponies passing by. Flowers bloomed at the sides of houses; a grey mail-pony soared overhead; and even a group of colts and fillies were seen running, playing a game of tag.

“Such a beautiful day outside...  I should be happy about today. The club should be more exciting than usual, too.“ At the topic of the club, an image came to mind showing Vinyl Scratch, the DJ of 'Da Club.' Alica looked up to her, in countless, nearly infinite ways.  “She’s so pretty… if only… she noticed me….” She sighed in full desperation, and her imagination showed a depiction of them making music together and snuggling. Immediately, she shook her head and blushed vibrantly. “Why can’t we be together?! I've actually talked to you one time, but I doubt that you even remember me! ...W-Why does it have to be this way?!”

She stopped, and looked around to see all the ponies around her in City Square staring at her with both worried and strange looks on their faces. Alica immediately blushed even brighter.

Oh no….. I was talking to myself out load again.

She stood there frozen, completely shocked and slightly upset with herself for doing this again in public.

“Hey, are you ok ma’am?” One young colt asked, who had just walked up to her.

“Eheh…. Uh, yeah.” I have to get out of here, fast! She thought, and then blurted out respectively, ”GOTTA GO!” As she ran off in the direction of 'Da Club,' she refused to look back to see everypony’s reactions to her.

So much for hoping for a calm day, she thought in pure panic. Oh well, I guess I’m used to it by now… if only things could change! Anything! I'll have anything! Anything but this! Still running, yet completely out of sight of the ponies she encountered, she saw Luna in the corner of her eye. Her mind, however, continued to race around and around endlessly. In her eyes, tears formed out of stress. Please! I need a vision of something new! Anything! I can't do this! Please! P-Plea- WAIT, was that Luna I just saw?! She looked back, still running, but saw nothing to her dismay. Then, suddenly, she ran right into something, making her tumble to the ground. Panting and grunting, she swore she heard somepony grunt as well, but she thought nothing of it due to the chaos in the day so far.

“Ugh,” Alica grumbled to herself. “Just ONE day of relaxing would be nice,” she couldn't help but giggle, shaking herself off.

“I know, right? I totally know how it feels...” She heard a voice that sounded oddly familiar, but then realized that the ‘thing’ she ran into was actually a pony.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, I was juuuuu-“ As she looked up to see the pony she ran into, she started to blush the brightest she has ever blushed before. It was the DJ, Vinyl Scratch, who was speaking to her, who she ran into, who she was speaking to. “-uuuuuh-“ Her sentence didn't go any further. She was simply in utter shock of the moment.

After Vinyl finished brushing herself off, she responded to the unfinished sentence. “Nah, it’s no trouble at all, just walking over to the day-club. I seem to bump into so many things, listening to my music. It’s pretty easy to get distracted.” She motioned with her hoof to one of the ear-buds in her ear, powered by a portable, mini, magic-powered music player in a saddle-bag.

“Uhhhh- oh, um... yeah, distracted….” She thought back to all of the times when she was distracted by Vinyl’s music in 'Da Club.' No-no-no-no-no, I shouldn't think about any of that right now, she’s right in front of me…. Looking at me…. Wait, looking at me?

The DJ continued to look at her with a bit of a contemplative expression on her face. “Wait… I swear I've seen you before. Canterlot? Wait, no, or was it that one evening party that Tirek totally crashed? Heh…. And totally.... CRASHED.” She chuckled softly at that little memory.

Alica, shaking herself out of her trance, responded at last. “OH, no, I work at the day-club too-“

“Ah! Yeah! You’re the one pony who is always working at the counter enjoying the music. I swear, out of all the workers there, you are the only one having an actual decent time it seems,” Vinyl said abruptly as she remembered the light blue pony that stood in front of her. They both started to walk in the direction of work, casually talking.

“Wait, you know me? Um, but, how did you know I’m  always focused on you- I mean, the music?” Alica asked with a slight blush.

“Well, I’ll tell ya this. A DJ like myself always knows who is interested into something and who is not, but you don’t need to be a genius to see that you are always looking in my direction. I've got to ask, what's your name?”

Oh my gosh! She’s asking for my name! Ok, ok, gotta act cool, Alica thought by instinct. “I’m Alica Underthought, the um…. Uh…. Alica. Yup.” Was that cool?

“Hm, nice name.... is pretty unique... I like it.” Vinyl said back. “Not too often I see names like that, I admit. Sounds a bit like 'alicorn,' actually...”

Alica was wide-eyed in surprise, but mustered her concentration to keep talking. “Oh, wait, really?! You like it? Most ponies stay away from me because of how different I am… uh... In general.”

“Well of course I like your name! It’s like with music. It can all get really boring to hear the same sounds, but when you hear something new, then you start to get hooked to it….. well, if that new thing doesn't sound bad.” Vinyl chuckled. “Then again, many ponies hate the sound of my wubs. Can’t impress everypony, but I still manage.”

Still not believing she was talking to the DJPon3, the DJ’s official title, Alica responded with a slight blush, “hehe, um, thanks.” What do I say, what do I say?! Alica thought emphatically to herself. “I really like your music!”Oh no…. no no no….. wait! I can fix this! “I mean, maybe because it is…. unique? Yeah, like you said about how unique things are good!” I’m dead. I failed. She’ll probably just shake her head and walk away like I imagine she would….

Vinyl chuckled lightly.

Wait, she’s not?.... Alica thought right before the DJ started speaking again.

“Well, I guess you’re right,” Vinyl said. “Also, there’s no reason to feel nervous around me. I’m really just a normal pony like you, ya know. Just because I’m famous doesn't mean I’m like an alicorn.” The DJ laughed a bit at the thought of being one. At the same time, Alica seemed to lose all the tension she had up to that point. Although, a certain thing that Vinyl had said caught her attention.

“Wait, ‘normal?’ Why do you say that about me? I’m not normal at all…” Alica spoke.

Vinyl explained, “well, I’m not what you call ‘normal,’ so that is why you are normal to me. Does that make sense?”

Alica blinked, “Oh, um…. OH! I see what you mean! Wait…. You’re not…. normal?

Vinyl laughed calmly. “far from it, but that is the reason I became so good at music, in the end… I think?” She paused for a second, but then realized that the day-club was only about fifty feet away. “Well, I guess there’s not much time for me to talk about that stuff. Perhaps something like after work?”

Again, Alica blinked. “Wait, you mean, today?!”

“No duh, I’m talking about 1,000 years from now!” Vinyl chuckled at her sarcasm. “But really, just whenever. I think we can really get along.”

As they came in through the main doors, Alica attempted to resist squee-ing, but couldn't help from keeping her mind from brewing up a storm of squeals in her head. Luckily, it was kept all in her head until after they said a casual goodbye and parted ways. Once out of earshot, she let it all out, making so much noise that a few coworkers around her stared curiously.

“hehe…” Alica blushed so heavily that even bright-red paint couldn't cover it up. “I was just…. Super excited to be here. Yup.” Smiling brightly, she finally got everypony’s eyes off of her as they simply shrugged. Well, at least I didn't lie, this time. She thought to herself.

“Okay, everypony, we got a big BIG day ahead of us!” Boomed the incredibly loud manager. He was a dark brown stallion with a vividly orange mane. His cutie mark was, for some reason, a whip. “We are going to be working late tonight as you all must know. For a recap, for whoever in the hay didn't come to that meeting-“ He then glanced his way over to an orange earth pony leaning sideways onto a wall talking to a fellow coworker. “-I’m talking to YOU, Sound Dart!” The pony nearly fell over in shock, but then realized it was just the boss and calmed down with a hearty chuckle.

“Ah, okay. What was it you were saying? I didn't catch it.”

The boss face-hoofed, “Of course you weren't…. I SWEAR, if I could afford to fire you, I wouldn't hesitate for a SINGLE second!”

“Yes, but you wouldn't do that because I’m the only pony here who speaks Zebra. You know it’s against regulation to have nopony who can speak the foreign language-“ he responded back casually.

“Shut up! I’m sick n’ tired of hearing this! Now, you better listen’ closely this first time, because I’m just going to recap this ONE time, no more.” The boss cleared his throat to speak. “As I was saying, for THOSE of you who weren't here for the meeting-" He glared angrily at the orange pony, who shrugged in return. “-We will be working later tonight….”

As he continued talking, a distant toilet flushed, and Vinyl came walking into the main hall humming a small tune as she set down her things at her station quietly. She started going through some bags trying to find one thing or another, casually making sure to listen to the manager.

“-Many important ponies will be here, many who are able to spread news ‘bout popular clubs in Equestria-“ Alica was barely listening to the boss at this point, since Vinyl came in.

Did she really mean what she said? Alica thought to herself. What if she was just….  I don’t know, this seems too good to be true. It’s like what I hope to dream in dreams…. But…. It’s real! …but…. What if I’m hoping for too much? She can’t possibly have the same feelings I have… can she? Realizing she was staring at her again, she averted her gaze before she noticed. I don’t know, I just don’t, I guess it doesn't hurt to hope, though…. And if this is a dream, I better make the best of it while I can! It’s not like every night that I get to experience one. Deciding to do a quick reality check, Alica looked down at her hooves and rubbed them together. Sighing, she smacked her face into the table in despair. Not dreaming… well, I guess it really is a good thing as long as I have a chance with Vinyl.

Lifting her head up and off the counter, she saw that the boss was nearly finished speaking. ”-And that’s why ya all should try your best tonight. AND, as much as I want to fire some of you-“ He glared angrily at Sound Dart, once more, making him pay closer attention again, “-I am still the boss, so ya better respect Da Club, otherwise ya disrespect me. I can’t afford to lose any workers, with what little we have. I STILL think we can rise to the top of the clubs, mind ya all. We DO have Vinyl, rated one of the top DJs in the vicinity!” He motioned to her, who in-turn nodded her head and leaned back on a nearby chair, having finished sorting through her items.

“Yeah Vinyl!” called out Sound Dart abruptly with infinite enthusiasm. Alica, staring harshly at him for a second, felt a great fiery knot of jealously swell up inside of her. Realizing what she was feeling, she looked down in shame. He has more of a chance anyway… she thought quietly to herself as she tried to control a burning blush that came to her face.

“Now, without further questions…” the boss paused, looking around for objections of any kind. “GET TO WORK!”

=     =      =

The day trailed on, and for the longest time, Alica was left entranced into giddiness once again after watching Vinyl play her wubs. Her music tracks put her into a state of mind, one that made her feel evermore giddy. Even if she could not think properly, she cherished the magical feeling inside. It was nearly like a wakeful dream in reality when she watched the DJ, and thus she just could not stop thinking about her. The bass dropped with lights swirling around in tight, fast circles lighting up the dark with each sweeping motion. She felt the urge to run out onto the dance floor with all of the other ponies, and maybe up onto the stand with Vinyl who was bobbing her head to the beat. After imagining it, she realized she still needed to work, and somepony was right in front of her trying to get her attention.

“-Hello? Can you hear me?” Asked a purple, winged mare.

“Oh!” She snapped out of her trance quickly. “I’ll get to that apple cider right away! I'm so sorry!”

“Uh…. Actually, I would prefer water. It sounds more... preferable, right now. Besides, I think Pinkie probably had too much cider, herself….” The pony said. Only then, Alica noticed a horn upon her head. Then, the realization finally hit her on who she was, almost like a humongous boulder would.

“Twilight Sparkle! I’m so sorry, I didn't recognize you at first! …uhh... I’ll get right to that water!” said Alica abruptly as she fumbled to find a mug through the many cupboards on the wall.

“Don’t worry, this whole place is chaotic, so I understand.” Twilight looked closer at Alica for a second. “Wait, do I know you? Isn't your name Alica?”

Still shuffling around the cupboards for cups, Alica responded brightly, nodding her head. “Yup! I’m the pony who always came to the old library to study dreams! And, uh, I came to the princess coronation. I was just... uh... in the corner as usual. I don't know if you or anypony saw me...”

“Ah! Yes! I remember you! So, how are your personal studies going? Last time you told me about it, you had read every book relating to the idea of dreams and had decided to try and explore it yourself.”

Finally finding a mug specifically for water, Alica started to fill it up.

“Um… Oh, yeah! I … well…. About that…. Eheh, I can’t get into a dream. I can daydream, and even seem to have visions, but never to actually dream like ponies would at night…” Alica responded sadly.

“Aw…. Wait, visions?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Yeah, I never told you? I have them all the time… sometimes?”

“No, please explain, I’m pretty interested.” Twilight smiled, putting her forelegs on the counter.

“Well…. They either are just random, or they connect with a thing in the future or the past… or something I don't even know. Again, uh, random...” She handled the water over to Twilight.

“Thanks, maybe this water will help get my mind together from all of the noise…”

“No problem. So… um…” she looked around, checking to see if any other ponies were waiting to order. Seeing that everypony was busy dancing, she continued. “Anyway, I've had visions about Discord, my parents, and really weird-looking…. species? I don’t even know, it’s all just so strange, but some of it really is true! I said that Discord was going to break free and nopony believed me… and also the Crystal Empire, I saw visions of it coming back, and it all happened!”

Twilight pondered for a moment, and after taking a sip of water, she began. "Well, I bet that if you get into a dream, you can dig deeper into your subconscious to find what the source is of these visions. Pinkie might actually have something to say that might help, because she has something…. similar. I would have to explain later, it’s a long story, her Pinkie Senses.”

“But… I can’t get into dreams, remember?” stated Alica.

Twilight added, in response, “about that, I can do some studies, easy, to find a spell that might help induce a dream and can keep you conscious at the same time -- Thus, a lucid dream! If I need to, I’ll even go to Princess Luna. She knows a lot about dreams… it’s pretty much her job, as I believe, going into other pony’s dreams to help them. What would be helpful, though, is some sort of device that we can use... something that can capture magical energy and use it efficiently to-"

The bass dropped abruptly, and at the same time, Twilight jumped out of her stool at the counter, stopping the conversation. Alica simply sighed giddily, smiling, as she felt the sense of joy she had every time she heard Vinyl work with music. She then looked back to Twilight, who sighed as well, but for different reasons. “This is the last time I go to a club… no matter how much Pinkie will bug me about it.”

Alica blinked, taking in what Twilight just told her earlier. "Oh, um, with what you were saying before about helping me, I don’t know what to say…” She looked over at Vinyl and smiled again, then back to Twilight. “It would be wonderful! You have no idea what this means to me! I've been, uh... looking for a sort of way to do all of this. It's been putting a lot of stress on me and everything...”

A brown earth pony with an unknown accent and green tie walked up. “Hey, sorry to interrupt you two fair ladies, but may I have a drink?”

Twilight responded quickly to him, “of course sir." She then looked back to Alica as she got up from the stool, "I’ll get out of your hooves then, Alica. Just come by the new castle when you get the chance, I’ll probably be there all week filling out paperwork for all the new books…. I don't know, I might be out in town, too, but I'll surely have time, if you don't mind waiting.”

Alica called back, “of course! Oh! And thank you so much!” Her voice might not have been heard completely due to the wubs, but Twilight understood with a nod of her head as if to say ‘no problem.”

“Wait, was that Twilight?” The earth pony asked. "Ohhh, wait, I just realized the timeline that I'm in, never mind."

As Alica was getting a mug, she responded, “uh... yup? Oh, wait, what drink do you want? Water? Cider?”

“Well, if you don’t have tea here, then I’ll just have Cider.” He answered.

“Uh…. Okay.” Alica responded again, starting to fill up the cup.

“You know, it seems a bit odd to see her in a place like this, but I’m not going to question it. Just, well, knowing her.... but then again I've seen weirder things in my travels. I've actually challenged the devil to a game of pinball, you know! This is all so… normal for me, that’s all, I’m happy to see something out of place. Casual ponies like you might not know what I'm talking about, but hopefully things start getting exciting again. In the other universe before the, well, 'incident,' I had a lot of adventures. This timeline is kind of meh.... But, oh who am I kidding! I was brought here for a reason! Something big is coming in the next week!”

Alica looked strangely at him for many reasons and with many questions as she gave him the mug. "Uh… wait, big? What do you mean?”

“Surely, and it seems like you play a big part in it, too. Hard to say, it’s all so foggy, but that’s when you know it’s gonna be big, because of the fogginess and iffyness. The universe just seems to work that way more and more often, doesn't it?” He shrugged simply, and Alica simply stared trying to go through in her head what he was saying.

A grey googly-eyed pegasus called out, “Doctor! Did you get your drink yet, silly? Or are you going to keep talking to that mare?”

“Gotta run, can’t leave her waiting-“ He blurted out almost as if to himself as he hurried back. Alica then started thinking to herself, wow, I wish I could have asked him questions... What does he mean about all of that? I haven’t had any big visions lately… but… then again, is it really coincidence for me to see Twilight today? Today?! When I also ran into Vinyl?! She pondered deeply, barely noticing that she was staring at the DJ again. I guess I’ll just have to find out, she sighed quietly. Random ponies, random encounters.... I guess this day really is interesting after all.

“Hey mare at the counter, 'nother drink!” demanded a random stallion who stumbled up onto the counter.

Alica sighed harder, but still inaudibly so she didn't look tired-out-of-her-mind, “Yes, of course, ron right it.” She grew wide-eyed, suddenly, realizing the slurring of her words, "Wait! I mean,  right ON it... hehe..." What the hay am I saying... This is going to be a long night. She noted to herself in her head.

=     =     =

After countless hours, Alica had barely managed to stay awake. The only thing motivating her was watching Vinyl, but it was just barely enough motivation she needed to keep going; the only pony she needed was still there, looking more marvelous than ever. At one point, Alica thought she saw the DJ looking back at her, but she simply noted it down to be a daydream as it usually would be to her. Music can really help her to get into the daydreaming mood, but also at the same time, keep her awake and moving with energy.

Although, as closing time neared, Vinyl put on a slow song. Almost immediately, a body fell to the floor fast asleep.

=     =     =

“Hey sleepy head, I made breakfast! Up and at 'em!” called out Morning as Alica rolled over, grumbling incoherently. She then realized where she was, and thought back to what she last remembered, as she usually would with dreams. Ugh, I can remember nothing but what happened yesterday…. Wait…. I don’t remember ever coming home to bed! Was all of that…. A dream?! Instantly, there was a face propelled into pillows and the sound of a muffled scream.

The day certainly was something interesting.

Chapter 3: Emotions of Fate

-Letter to Alica: Segment 1-

Dear Alica,

I’m so, so sorry… by the time you are reading this, you must be wondering why you are surrounded by an endless white span of space once again. This is not your fault. None of it is. If anypony is to be blamed, it is me. There was just no other way, and so to us, you are our hero.

Read carefully, because I want to tell you the truth. Please, I hope you understand.

You must of course remember your visions. I suppose they might have made you seem crazy, but there was a reason behind it. Just look back to your past, and then with what we have recently gone through together and you will understand. After you had looked deeper, I saw how you had started to come to terms with it all, mystery or not, and empowered yourself with it. It helped you grow and get where you are now... but now, I truly don’t know how I can say sorry.…

Chapter 3: Emotions of Fate

Alica, after rejoicing the fact that she was in a dream by spinning and jumping up and down, squee’d in utmost delight. “Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes! It’s even better than I imagined!”

The pink pony, known as The Wanderer, waited patiently, and then simply smiled to see her happy.

Alica then stopped, and realized that the world was getting a bit blurry. She decided that it would be best to make sure she wouldn’t wake up. After she finished grounding herself into the dream by rubbing her hooves together, the world appeared infinitely more vivid. “heh heh….” She blushed slightly from almost forgetting one of the most important parts to lucid dreaming, which was not to get to excited. “Wait, now that I’m dreaming…. I don’t know what I’m going to do! Uh….”

The Wanderer spoke up, “Well, maybe we can talk.”

Alica looked at her, remembering that she was the reason that she realized she was lucid. She’s… she’s just a projection of my subconscious. Funny she hasn’t disappeared with all of my excitement messing up everything… Alica thought, and then replied to this dream character. “Well, if it will keep me from waking up, sure!”

“Sweet! So how has everything been? I haven’t had the chance of meeting you in Equestria to ask, but now that we got you into a dream, you can fill me in with some things!” The Wanderer smiled happily as she waited for Alica to respond.

Alica simply stared, and then started. “But, you are just a projection. Why-“

The Wanderer interjected before Alica could finish asking her question. “Call me that if you want. In a very very VERY complicated way, it’s pretty much true. Now if you don’t mind, can you answer the question I asked? I’d like to see how you’ve grown.” She smiled again, urging for her to respond.

"Uh… I’ve been doing… good?” Alica had a completely dazed look on her face.

The pink pony bounced up. "That’s good! Met up with Vinyl yet? I bet she’s an awesome pony! I can sense a butt-load of feelings inside you!”

Alica blinked. "What the… what?!” She shook her head as she giggled. "Oh, wait I remember, you are a part of me..."

“Sure. Anyways, I’m guessing it’s a ‘yes,’ so I wish the bestest of luck to you two!” She beamed brightly, and in response, Alica smiled.

“I guess we can always hope…” Alica stated, looking down as she lost her smile.

“Well, it’s your destiny, and actually you are right where you need to be.” The pink pony walked up to Alica, and put a hoof on her as a gesture of support. “Just keep doing what you are doing, and everything will be fine…” She looked down as well, trying to hide her feelings.

Alica looked up at her, and out of reaction, she asked, “what’s wrong? I'm sorry if you're feeling the same thing I'm feeling... It would make sense. I'm sorry.” With that said, she went to her and hugged. Alica could feel a lot of tension loosen up from both herself and the projection.

After a moment, The Wanderer looked up, making eye contact with a forced smile. “Yeah, it would make sense, wouldn’t it? And things would be so much more simpler….” She now had a blank look on her face. “So much simpler…” She looked down again, and then continued. “Listen, you might not believe everything I say, so I will say this. Meet up with Twilight, and look into your dreams. Go deeper, and then after that, go even deeper and deeper. When you think you’re deep enough, go deeper again. After that, things will start to make sense. Trust me, please?” She looked at Alica, smiling once again.

“Um…. I…. Okay.” Wow this is ridiculous. I just want to get to something fun in this dream… Alica thought to herself.

“Good, and stay strong, no matter what you find. …Oh! And one more thing – You might meet the spirit of chaos, Discord, soon. I would tell you to tell him that I said hi, but… we’ve had some ‘history’ together, so never mind.” The pink pony said as Alica was sitting there trying to figure out why she was saying all of this. “-And you might be waking up soon.“

“-Wait, WHAT?!” Alica looked around, and tried to ground herself again in the dream as she noticed everything starting to blur again. Out in the distance, echos called Alica’s name.

“I can already hear your sister, bye-bye! I’ll see you later, don’t worry!” The Wanderer waved Alica off as she felt the world tumble and spin. Her surroundings continued distorting evermore; the white clouds and deep-blue ocean were seen in the distance, getting farther and farther away as the dream was collapsing.

“No! I just barely got in the dream!”Alica shouted, but had found it to be of no use, for the only thing she could see now was the distant pink pony and a dark, blurry background. With a final attempt of trying to reach out with her hooves to grab the dream, as if it were tangible, she awoke upright in her bed, breathing heavily.

~     ~     ~

“Alica! I am heading off to work! Can you even hear me?  We almost always say goodbye first, right?” Morning called out as if it were the third time in a row of knocking on the door.

Alica simply sighed, not caring to respond this time.

“Well, if you really aren’t going to answer me, then I will be off. Goodbye.” After hearing her sister walk down the steps and out the door, Alica was left staring at the ceiling above.

“Bleh!” Alica rolled over onto her side, a tad bit frustrated of how Morning was always so caring of her. She rolled over again in irritation, now on her back. She simply stared at that empty ceiling, pondering what memories she had of the dream. Well, I guess I was only good at day-dreaming anyway, heh… She thought back to the pink pony, The Wanderer. She continued thinking, deciding that she should choose to believe that it was her imagination. Just then, she remembered back to what The Wanderer had said about Twilight and respectively blurted out, “well, I guess now is a better time than any to go see Twilight.”

She started to get up, but failed and fell back onto the bed, ostensibly lazy.

“Ugh…”

She then started to roll sluggishly, and continued to do so until she was right at the edge of the bed. Not stopping, she rolled off of it, forcing her body to wake up from the jolt of the impact. After shaking herself off from all of the feathers gathered on her from her pillows, she started out the door off to Twilight’s castle.

=     =     =

'Meet up with Twilight, and look into your dreams-' Well, as if I was going to miss this chance… Alica walked down the dirt road, thinking to herself more upon the dream she had had. But…. Go deeper? Just… what can it mean?

She looked around at the scenery of the real world for a moment as she pondered, and simply marveled its beauty. Birds sang choruses high atop the treetops, the sun at high-noon shone brightly in the sky so high, and at any other extent nature was showing its elegance, it showed it right at that very moment for Alica. Though this world was so vast and so stressful, Alica could not help but sigh quietly at what marvels it brought to her heart. “I don’t care. The world is just so… so… vivid and magical.”

“Why of course, It's quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Said a voice from beside Alica.

“Yeah, sometimes I just wonder what more there is to see in this world …wait, who-“  Alica looked over, and then was startled as she saw someone floating alongside her as she walked. He had the head of a pony and all sorts of other parts from many different creatures. All-in-all, he looked most like a scrawny dragon dipped in chaos. He went by no other name but Discord, which was a rather fitting name for a draconequus that just so happened to be the spirit of chaos, himself.

“You!-“ Alica started, about to burst out in anger from what he had done to ponyville and to her sister, though a while ago.

“Hush hush.  You must know that I am very much reformed. Now, as to what you were saying, I can’t say that I haven’t thought the same as well.”

Alica, not knowing exactly what to say back, responded, “uh… yeah?” What the hay.

“Indeed! You don’t think I think this world is gorgeous? This world of mine…. Or, well, really it was ONCE mine. It was the only thing I loved for a long time. Then Fluttershy showed me a different way of living and… friendship.  Before I get all mushy, my point I’m trying to make is having my own world has helped me from being bored. I’m now restricted to what land Celestia gives me, but if you take a look inside my dimensional pocket universe, you’ll find it QUITE astonishing!  …eh, although she doesn’t allow me to add chocolate rain anymore. ‘It isn’t good for the environment’ she says! It’s not THAT big of a deal. It ONLY created a puddle with a radius of a single mile outside my territory.” Discord now tilted on his side, floating still, as he looked at Alica for a bit. Alica tried to ignore him for a minute, but then she couldn’t take it.

“What in the hay do you want?” Alica stopped, looking harshly at Discord.

Discord blinked, having a supposedly clueless expression. “Why, whatever do you mean? I’m just going over to Twilight’s place, just like you I presume.”

“How did you kno- Ugh, whatever, why in the hay are you staring at me?” They continued walking as she asked in a less threatening tone.

Discord stared a bit longer, but then said, “well, it just looks like… Wait for it-“ Alica’s face then ran into a miniature floating bubble of liquid cheese. “-A little bit of CHEESE was on your face. Here, allow me to wipe it off-“

“NO thankyou, very much,” Alica grunted, but then couldn’t help but giggle at how silly it was. She then wiped it off with a hoof and shook her head. Why am I even thinking he’s funny! It’s not like I’ll forgive him so easily from what he’s done before…. But, then again…

“Well, if you say so,” Discord said back, still floating beside her. He started to pick at his nails.

Alica looked at him, internally questioning why he is even caring to talk to her in the first place. She then looked away, shaking her head again. Maybe he’s got nothing better to do.

They walked, or for Discord, floated silently over the rest of the way to Twilight’s castle.

Once at Twilight’s, Alica opened the large front doors with her magic. As she did, Discord cut in, floating in front of her. “Why thank you kindly, my fair blue mare! No need to be so polite.”

Alica bit under her lip. “My name is Alica.” Why do I even care? She thought.

Discord stopped in his tracks, floating midair inside. “…Alica? How… how interesting.” He floated down to the ground, and walked on his two legs.

“Yeah, I know, it sounds pretty strange. Don’t bug me about it please…” Alica sighed.

“No, it’s not that. Quite the opposite, really,” Discord said, now walking beside her, upright.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Alica asked with a confused look on her face.

“Uh…” Discord stumbled, both physically and in speech. “You see… Ah! There’s Spike! I’ll ask him where that dear Twilight is-“ He then disappeared, leaving Alica with an even more puzzled face.

Up ahead, a small purple and green-spiked dragon stood sweeping down the hall with his back towards Alica. Discord teleported in front of him, making him yelp in alarm, but then when he realized who it was, he calmed down and picked up his broom. Because of the distance Alica was at from their conversation, she simply sat down at the end of the hallway waiting patiently.

Then, suddenly, he teleported right in front of her. “AH! …Oh, it’s only you.” She then calmed herself down from the abruptness of Discord's teleportation. “Please don’t do that,” she added.

“Hah! You said the same thing as ‘The Brave and Glorious’ Spike,” Discord said back. As Alica glared at him, he was forced to apologize.

“So do you know where Twilight is?” Alica then asked.

“Spike said she was doing some errands. You know what that means?” Discord asked back.

Alica shook her head. “That Twilight feels like doing errands? I don't know...”

“That MEANS that I get to wait with you, and that you will tell me ALL about you.” Discord answered.

Alica looked awkwardly at him. “What are you playing at? I don’t see any reason why you would want to get to know me…”

“Well, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t care to know you?”

“But… why?!”

“Because friends care, right? I’m still learning, give me some slack.”

Alica felt a tinge of annoyance. “No, I mean, why do you care about me when we just barely met? And you’re DISCORD! Spirit of chaos and disharmony!”

“Now now, I said before that I’m reformed. Didn’t I tell you about how Fluttershy helped?” Alica hesitated as Discord asked this, but she nodded as she remembered, and Discord continued. “There is nothing wrong about meeting new friends. Seriously, tell me if I’m wrong, because for over a thousand years I have not known friendship.” He now had a serious look to himself, for once it seemed.

Alica looked towards him. “If you put it that way…” Alica closed her eyes for a second, thinking, and then opened them up. She looked back at the draconequus. “There is nothing wrong with it at all. It’s just that… it’s hard to trust you are telling the truth. It’s just a feeling, but I feel like you aren’t telling me something. Am I wrong?”

Discord made eye contact with her, and then saw that she really was onto something. “You are right…” He said, after a while, and looked down. “And with all of this time… I’ve never dared tell anypony. It’s best you don’t know... and now that I’ve told the truth, can you leave me alone for now? Forget that this conversation ever happened.” He looked at her intently, hoping she understood. With a simple nod, they sat in silence. Discord had lost all his intention of talking.

She didn’t understand. Although, as she looked at Discord, she wondered who he really was. Maybe he wasn’t evil after all, no, but rather had a fairly twisted perspective on life.

Colors started to blur the edges of her sight, and with that, she knew that she was about to have another vision. This one appeared powerful, for some reason, with the colors swirling so fast and with such contrast by which it had.

-     -     -

Eternal darkness endured in ubiquitical existence...

“NO! You don’t need to do this!” In the black abyss of an abstract landscape of a city, a feminine voice rang out in a wave of echos under the hundreds of moons that rested up in the sky. The world surely didn’t look like Equestria. On the ground lied a corpse shrouded in darkness, and shrouded in evermore darkness stood a strange-looking figure that surely wasn’t a pony.

“So what?! We already talked, there is no use. Ahah, AhahaHAHAHA!” The dark figure broke down into a fit of chaotic laughs. “There is absolutely NO use, don’t you SEE?! HA! And this is just the start of my master plan. There is no turning back for him! He will see, and then he won’t see. Oh, who CARES what happens, I just know that I am going to have SO much fun messing with his world! With MY world! AHAHAHA! And NO ONE can stop me, that’s the FUN part!” His laugh then split the air around him and made the ground rumble, forming an earthquake.

“Please, think logically for a second. Remember those peaceful little times we had together?” The voice called out in an opposite direction from before.

The tall figure turned around to where the voice moved to. “Ah, yes, those I could never forget. Be my queen again. We shall rule our world together. I said I have BIG plans, come on!” With a big nostalgic grin upon his face, he kept looking around trying to find her.

“Don’t hurt yourself like this, please,” the voice called out in another random spot. “What happened to who you used to be?”

The tall figure responded, “ah, yes, yes, I’ve finally gotten the chance to change. How about you call me… hm….” He looked up with a claw stroking his white goatee, pondering. “Discord! Ahaha! The spirit of chaos and disharmony, how about that! You really would be a perfect queen, come on! You’ve got to make a name too!” He beamed in ruptured joy, still trying to find her.

“No,” came an answer from behind him.

The supposed smile shattered off of his face as his voice cried out with a translucent “what?”

“No,” this time having come from right in front of him, although he saw nothing. It was clear that heat was rising off of the top of his head in contempt and hatred of what she had just said to him.

“Why?!” He shouted crazily at the top of his lungs in vain.

“If you won’t think logically about this, then I will have to fade away. Don’t make me do it.”

He scowled and kicked at a nearby, deteriorated wall. “Fine! Who cares about you!? I would only care LESS if you disappeared and got out of my life! It’s more chaotic alone anyway, and didn’t I say I was the spirit of chaos now? It ALL just fits SO nicely! Muahahaha!”

As he laughed up a storm, quite literally a storm came rushing in around him with lightning flashing in all directions with a wild fury of noises.

“I’m sorry…” Her voice was quiet, yet not at all muffled by the chaos Discord was making.

“Uhuehuehue, so be it, my little pony. More fun for me!”

With the sound of a baffling explosion, Discord engulfed the world with magic so chaotic that it created a whole new world of its own in such a bright disorienting light. All, then, that existed in his universe was a quiet darkness.

-     -     -

Alica came-to, and shook her head abruptly to get back to her senses. She looked over to Discord, who was practically rolling on the ground in boredom.

...Well, I guess that vision wasn’t really random, for once, Alica thought to herself. I feel…. Almost bad for him….No true friend, except maybe Fluttershy… but then again, that vision was super scary... She looked down and pondered for a bit more. Was it... in the past then?She thought, trying to recall who the female voice was that was talking to Discord. Why does she sound so familiar….

“Ok, this is ridiculous!” Discord blurted out, stopping Alica’s train of thought. “When will Miss Smarty-Pants get here?! She promised me she-“

As if on-cue, Twilight Sparkle came in through the door, levitating countless books stacked upon themselves. “My apologies, I got caught up in another fan group… I barely managed to get out of there.” Starting to trot off towards the door leading to her library, she added to them, “give me one minute while I put away these books. I’ll be back for you two.” With that said, she disappeared temporarily around the corner after twisting the door open with her magic.

Discord chuckled. “Looks like she had another busy day.”

After a minute of Alica hearing Discord tap his claw impatiently on the seat, Twilight appeared back, now empty-hooved and ready.

“You lied, you were gone for 1.0167 minutes,” Discord said to her flatly.

“I’d prefer to think of it as a minute and a one second. Again though, my apologies…” Twilight responded

“What? No-no-no, you seriously thought it was a big deal? Haha, well, ok, let’s just get to business.” With that said, he teleported a set of professional glasses and a tie. He stood up. “So, you said you’d hear what I have to say about my personal situation? Much business, yes.” Throwing away his meaningless glasses and tie, he continued with an infirm tone in his voice, “I’ve been trying to find peace with myself…”

“Why of course. Part of the reforming process, I suppose?” Twilight asked.

“Well, in a way you can say that.” He looked over to Alica for a moment, smiled, then turned back to Twilight. “And actually, I want Alica to join us. I had some time to think after we talked for a bit, and I have a feeling that… she might… eh, help. I’ve never had this feeling before.” They then both looked to Alica for a response.

“Wait, huh?” Alica had been looking down at her hooves until then, but now looked up with what was said. “Um… sure. I won’t be doing much, though…”

Twilight added, “well, with whatever help we can get, it will help save a lot of time. How about you two follow me? I have a nice set of chairs already set up in the library. Although, Discord, you’ll have to materialize your own. You know how hard it is to sit in pony-designed seats with your-” Twilight looked over Discord up and down for a moment trying to think of a way to describe him. “...non-pony body.”

“Hah, I never like how small they are,” Discord replied.

After another minute, everypony was settled in. Alica, who was resting her head on the table, sluggishly asked, “so who is going to go first?”

Twilight then answered, “whoever wants to. I’d like to ask, though, why do you look so tired? Not enough sleep?”

Alica had a sluggish, monotone voice. “More-over a lack there-of, for I was immersed in an extravagant lucid dream approximately thirty minutes ago.” If Alica had a cup of coffee, she would have sprayed it everywhere out of her mouth, wide-eyed. “Wait, why in Equestria am I sounding so sophisticated?!” She then put her hooves on the back of her head, face-down on the table. I guess this is what happens when I’m tired…. She thought to herself in distress.

“Uh…. Well, likely your sleep cycle was interrupted during stage four. Wait, how long was your nap for?"

"Three hours? Then I was woken up by my sister." Alica mumbled with her head still face-down on the table.

"...Well... that explains it." Now looking to Discord, she continued on with the topic. “How about you go first, Discord."

Although hesitant, he started. “Sure thing, let me think, first…” For a moment, he thought of what he needed to talk about. Alica lifted her head at this time, now attentive.

“Okay, I’ll start by saying that in the past, long long ago, there was a time I was… happy. I took it for granted, and eventually everything around me fell apart. I lost my sanity, go figure. I still don’t have it, and it’s not like I’m getting any closer to getting it back. You two know me, I was encased in stone.

“Anyway, perhaps you can call me reformed, I know what you’re thinking, but you said it yourself Twilight, I’m not ready for a throne. I still see this as my world, you see, and I feel it still is. But then again, I know I can lose control, like you saw with the time with Tirek.” Discord sighed. “It was useless coming here. This is the last time I trust my intuition.”

Alica blinked. “Wait, what?! No, no-no-no-, there was a reason for coming here, because I can understand what you mean... Please, go on.” With that said, she smiled.

Then was Discord’s time to blink. “Wow…. No one has ever even cared to understand me before…”

Twilight then added, “well, I wouldn’t be listening to you right now if I didn’t care to. Since arriving at Ponyville, I’ve learned that it’s simply what friends do.” At this time, they both were smiling at the draconequus, supporting him.

Discord chuckled. “It feels stranger than you can imagine to be treated this way. Oh well, I’ll continue. So, you must know, I have feelings like anypony else. I guess I cover it up with my chaotic spirit, but that is the only thing I feel like I can do anyway. It’s no use to express feelings. Somehow, today is different. Funny, I actually feel better just by asking for help, for once.

“So, what I don’t understand, why does it feel like I am going nowhere in my reforming? I can’t tell you any more details on what is going on in my head, because I’m trying to figure things out for myself. Perhaps you two mare have some input?”

After Discord finished speaking, leaving the question yet to be answered, Twilight gave her response. “If you really don’t want to tell us more, then I won’t question further. Although, it would in fact help you if you didn’t keep secrets from friends. Now, on to how I can answer your question-“ After shifting spots in her chair for a second, she continued. “First off, you will likely go nowhere if you believe you are going nowhere. Now, second off…” She looked up at the ceiling to think for a moment. “-Second, I say that you should trust yourself and your friends. Take baby steps, but make sure to keep the intention of actually getting ‘somewhere,’ and you won’t stray off the path.”

Alica then blurted out, “oh! Hope!”

They both looked at her, making her blush slightly. “I mean… heheh, just that you should keep hoping. Um… recently it’s helped me, kinda…”

Twilight nodded in agreement. “Exactly, what I say can also be considered hope.”

Discord sighed. “Well, perhaps I’ll at least hope to hope. It’s rather difficult to control chaos, you must know.”

After a second of silence, Alica started. “So um… can I begin talking about my side of things?”

Twilight responded, “of course! Oh, and by the way, Discord, you can leave if you are done, unless you have anything else you want to say.”

Discord shook his head, “Nah, I’ll stay to listen.”

Alica then continued. “Um… so, basically I had told you about how I haven’t been able to dream, right, Twilight?”

At this, Discord perked his ears up in interest.

Twilight responded, “I believe you might have mentioned something last night, but technically everypony dreams. Most don’t remember them and make the assumption that they just simply do not dream.”

“Yeah, well, I know that from my studies a long time ago… I was just saying it like that because it seemed like it. Although, just this morning I had a lucid dream. Well… a lucid day-dream, really.” Alica said with a smile.

Twilight looked at her questioningly. “The same one you told me about?”

“Pretty much.”

“Huh. This is definitely a huge development in your lucid dreaming studies, I bet. Although, something I haven't addressed was that it might not be the best to take extremely long naps in the day. There are studies that show that those who regularly take naps longer than an hour are more likely to have a shorter life-span than those who don't. If you are going to be practicing lucid dreaming, I recommend you give yourself more time in the night-time.”

Discord chuckled slightly. Following it, they both looked at him.

"What is so funny?" Twilight asked, slightly annoyed.

Discord put his paw and claw up defensively. “Hey, hey, I just thought it was funny because of the irony.”

Alica tilted her head, staring blankly with confusion, annoyance, and wonder. Twilight looked at him, puzzled and confounded.

"Do you even know what irony is?" Twilight asked.

Discord face-pawed, stretched his face down in stress, then let it flop back into place. He looked to Alica. “How about you just continue?”

“Uh… oh, yeah, I don’t know, I was just feeling really emotional and decided to take a nap, I guess….” Alica said, continuing as Discord had asked.

Twilight shook her head, “We’ll talk about that later. I do find it interesting that got into a lucid dream. By memory, what do you remember?”

Alica paused for a second, trying to remember where it started. She began explaining as many details as possible. The foals, the wide-open sea, the spanning mountain range, and the big red button that did nothing were all mentioned. Although, not The Wanderer, for Alica had stopped wide-eyed from what she remembered she had told her.

She had… she had said I would meet Discord soon… Is this really a coincidence? What is happening? Alica looked down to her hooves as she thought. She started to look around of the room, doing a reality check. Nothing seems off… so I’m not dreaming. Or… “UGH! I don’t know!” With that blurted out in utter confusion, Alica started crying in her hooves, resting her head, tense, on the table. Already, tears were showing. The emotional buildup of the morning finally got around to cracking.

Shocked, Twilight went to comfort her. “What’s wrong? It wasn't a nightmare, I hope? Or is it too hard to remember?”

“I don’t know! I don’t know!” Alica started shaking as she continued to cry. “Just… Just let me figure this out!” She got up suddenly with her mane all messy and damp with tears, and then ran off. In the process of frantically trying to find an isolated spot, she found a broom closet. She slumped to the floor inside and closed the door with her magic.

After about a minute, Alica started to sink deeper into a forlorn mood as the crying started to die down into a mere shiver.

“Why?...” She asked herself, unknowing of why she was asking the question in the first place.

A small knock came onto the door as Discord’s voice called out, “Alica… may I come in?”

Alica shivered a tad bit more, “I- I don’t c-care…”

A second later, the draconequus materialized inside through his wacky magic, and then put his paw on her hesitantly in an effort to try to support her. He, himself, started to slump to the floor too. They both sat together as Alica got all of her trembling and crying out, and at the same time, it was almost as if Discord was forming his own forsaken tears.

Eventually, Alica sighed, asking, “what is reality?”

Discord simply looked at her, and then looked down to the ground. After a bit, he finally responded in a hoarse voice. “Good question. ...It is what we make it to be...”

Alica started seeing small flashes of light in the corner of her vision as she knew she was going into another trance state begging to come to life. Mostly, it was memories of her childhood.

“Don’t call me crazy, no, don’t call me crazy, NO! n-n-no…” She started shaking in a fit as more colors and memories started to swirl into her being.

“I… I’m sorry…” He looked down, not knowing what else to say or even do.

For another minute, her emotions continued pouring out. Then, she started to calm down again as the visions started to die down.

Alica then realized her position. “Wait…. What?” She tried to remember what he had said to her.

In response, Discord repeated coarsely, “look, I don’t know what to do … I’m sorry.”

Alica looked at him, bewildered. “Um… but why?”

“…Because…. Somehow, this is all my fault.” Discord slumped further onto the floor. He chuckled desolately. “Why do I even try…”

Alica put a hoof on Discord’s back. “Don’t….. Don’t worry. The past is the past.... I don’t even feel like it’s your fault at all.” She then thought back to the conversation with Twilight. “And… we can both hope to hope together, right? I have my own problems, as you just saw… but… for now, let’s just hope for the best.”

Discord chuckled sadly. “You shouldn’t be this sweet. I was expecting you to smack me a while ago… I am Discord, ‘spirit of chaos and disharmony.’ Even if you find harmony, there’s no hope for me… you, but not me...”

Alica looked confused. “I.. I don’t smack ponies... It would be really mean.”

Squinting tensely, Discord shuffled to get up. “Why am I even in here?!”

In the moment of his struggle to get up, Alica hurried to stop him and stated, “because it is meant to be.” She smiled, having found a feeling of peace. “Thank-you, Discord. I do feel a lot better now.”

Awkwardly, standing in the closet with Alica, Discord asked, “can we just get out?”

Blushing, Alica realized they were still crammed inside the dark room of brooms. “Uh… yeah.”

As she opened the door, something came to mind as she asked Discord, “just a random question, do you believe in fate?”

In response, Discord looked at her as he squeezed out, and said as he stroked his white goatee with his claw. “I can’t say I do, but I do believe in magic.”

Alica face-hoofed before walking out. “Well, of course. What I mean, I mean, just how we met… what really happened in the dream was that I was given… ‘signs,’ that I would meet you. Another thing, how would you explain cutie marks?.”

Discord responded, “magic. ...And what would my destiny be anyway? Everypony knows I don’t have a picture on my butt.”

Alica looked down as she thought, and then stated, “well, with no cutie mark, that means that you can be anything. Right?

As Alica looked over at him, she saw a giant, floating pie with a face on the end of it that replied with the voice of Discord. “Why of course!”

Alica giggled and looked ahead to where Twilight was sitting, reading a book. “Why is your magic so funny?”

Discord simply rephrased what was said. “With no cutie mark, I can be anything.” He then transformed back to his draconequus self before Twilght could see him. He knew that she had lectured him before on how he could make a ‘big mess’ if he turned into giant wads of food.

Twilight looked up, after hearing the two, and then immediately flew up to Alica to give her a hug. Alica embraced it, and with it, gave a simple “thank-you."

After a minute, Twilight asked, “What happened? Is it ok if I ask? I would’ve gone to you sooner, but Discord insisted that he should check on you. Did he help? Or do you not want to talk anymore? I understand if it’s too much for whatever reason-“

Discord interjected, “woah, woah! Hold your jimmies, there’s not a problem anymore. Right, Alica?”

“Well… I feel a whole lot better, so yeah. I’ve just been feeling super emotional I guess. A lot happened this morning, pretty much…” Alica answered.

Twilight then responded, “in that case, that makes sense given how your sleep cycle was messed with as you’ve told me before about. I’ve said it multiple times, but doing that can really affect your mood and overall stability.”

“Yeah, I know… Um, so anyway, can we sit down? There was something else I’d like to tell you.” Alica said.

“Yes.” As Twilight answered, they all sat in their previous spots. “So, what is it you’d like to tell me?”

“Well, you see… My visions have been getting more vivid.”

“Oh! You’ve mentioned it in the club. Please, go on!”

Alica smiled a bit, happy to finally be able to talk to somepony about the matter. “Ok, so, basically I have the visions in the past or the future, it seems.” She looked over to Discord. “Now that I think about it, many have been about you, Discord. Especially… recently.” As she looked back to Twilight, Discord looked at her curiously.

She continued. “It’s been getting intense enough to where colors come out on the world. I mean, probably nopony else sees them, but just me.”

“Wait, by any chance, have you been diagnosed with anything?”

“No! No I haven’t!” Alica stood flustered, but then blushed as she realized how rude she looked. “Sorry… I mean… I had it checked out, but I don’t have schizophrenia or anything. I’m sorry for yelling… I just have had bad experiences with ponies saying something is wrong with me…”

Twilight immediately looked at her apologetically. “No, no, of course, I’m sorry I brought it up… but I just needed to be sure so I can have a better scientific outlook. Please, continue.” With that said, she smiled, and urged her to go on.

“It’s ok, I understand…” Alica then began where she had left off. “So why I know this is all real is because I am shown things that happen in the future… or past. I mean, for instance, as I had told Discord already, in the dream it was predicted that I would meet him today. That was kind of why I ran off as you saw… it’s just hard to understand it.”

Alica smiled brightly, still explaining, “But I’ve found that it’s just how destiny works! It’s all meant to be, and it’s so beautiful. No matter how hard my emotions get, I still feel like this is the exact moment and the exact place I need to be.”

Twilight rolled her pencil back and forth on the desk, thinking, and then suddenly picked up a few blank pieces of paper next to her and started to write some notes. “Tell me more about how you were hinted of meeting Discord, in the dream.”

Alica thought about it for a bit, and then continued. “I was told so by a dream character.”

“Can you tell me some details on the character?” Twilight asked.

Alica looked over to Discord, who simply waved to her, as if saying ‘hello, I’m still here!’ As she looked back to Twilight, she decided to ask if she could just write it out and hand it to her. Twilight nodded, in response to the question.

After Alica finished, she gave it to Twilight.

“Ahem, so, a pink ma-“

“No!” Alica interrupted.

Twilight looked at her curiously.

Alica blushed again. “I mean… I’ve read over it a bunch of times, and I’m sure I put in as much detail as I could.”

Twilight shrugged. “Well, if you insist. So, another thing, can you describe to me what it looks like when you are having your visions?”

Alica thought for a bit to come up with a way to describe it as best as possible, and then answered. “It is like different colors around the edges of my eyes. Sometimes it’s just one color, other times it’s many. I don’t know, I don’t pay too much attention, but basically the colors would swirl or take shape and make patterns. It kind of goes to different places, and sometimes I am in another pony’s body. It’s weird, and it’s just so random and happens whenever…”

Twilight shook her head. “I’d hate to have another Pinkie Sense situation, so can you tell me what each event has in common?”

Alica replied, “um… well, I guess it’s when I’m really emotional… or… deep in thought. But… Pinkie Sense? You mentioned it at the club, I think…”

Twilight responded, “not important right now. Right now, for your homework, I want you to try and catch as many details including the conditions and possible effects of the visions, whenever they come. Got it?”

Discord then gave an outburst. “Oooh, so this is school now. So what is my assignment princess demand-y-pants?”

Twilight looked at him. “Shush.”

“Oh come on! You’re the one who’s throwing stuff around!”

“You just failed your first assignment, Discord. Congratulations.”

Discord folded his arms and put on an angry pout.

Alica then commented, “it’s ok, Discord, I’m completely okay with having an assignment to do. I actually like it.”

Discord chuckled. “Nah, it’s not that, I was just messing with dear Twilight here.”

Twilight face-hoofed, trying to ignore him. “I have a few books you can read for now. I don’t think you’ve read them, because they were delivered recently with the new library. Read them whenever you wish, I don’t need them back anytime soon because not many ponies are interested in these sorts of things. I think they already started to collect dust in the past week… Oh, but please be careful with them, I do treasure the books that I have.”

“Of course, thankyou so much!” Alica said back after Twilight went to pass over the books she had stacked nearby. “So, what are they on, exactly?”

Discord blurted out his answer. “On the desk, duh!”

Twilight shook her head, getting evermore frustrated. Alica tried not to giggle before the alicorn answered properly. “The top two should be about the science and procedures, and then the third should deal with the superstitions. I’ve never fully understood the superstition, but maybe it might at least help give you insight.”

Alica nodded. “Okay. Again, thankyou. Um… hugs?”

“Of course.” With that said, they both got up and hugged each other gently. “For anything dealing with books or knowledge, just come to me. I am always willing to share.”

Discord materialized behind them and abruptly gave his way of giving hugs, which was by squeezing them high in the air with his arms. “Well now isn’t this just lovely?! We are all hugging like good old friends!” He closed his eyes, smiled ecstatically, and left Alica to wonder whether he was just messing around or actually feeling something inside. She decided not to question it, for he was Discord. Twilight thought the same as they both stayed silent, waiting for the moment to pass.

Eventually, Alica couldn’t breathe. “Um… Dis… Chord… I can’t… b- breathe.”

After a second, he dropped them gently onto the ground. “Fine, but only because we’re friends.”

Twilight said back, “we have a lot more reforming to do…”

“Hey! I’m trying!” He responded.

“I’m not going to argue this right now.” She looked back to Alica. “So, until we meet again? I’m free in a few days. I’m almost finished organizing.”

“Sounds good to me,“Alica responded and waved to her as she started walking out the door. “Bye-bye.”

“Bye, Alica.”

As Discord waved goodbye as well, he walked with Alica out of the castle and into the bright daylight. Alica stopped to sigh in emotion of the long day, and then continued through the town to her house. Discord walked with her in silence, but eventually he broke the air to ask, “so, what do you plan to do?”

“I don’t know…” Alica sighed again, but then smiled. “I guess I’ll just get started on reading the books as soon as I can. I do have today off from work, so I have a lot of time.” She looked over to Discord. “What about you?”

“Hm…. Well, I’m probably going to roam around and find something entertaining to do. I don’t have any job, so it’s not like I’m busy with business,” Discord answered.

“Wait… entertaining?”

“Oh! Look at that, there’s your house! I’ve got important business to attend to, bye!” As Discord teleported away, Alica stopped to scratch her head with her hoof. What the hay, Alica thought in confusion. Just then, she saw her house on the far side of the dirt road. Well, at least he didn’t lie about my house….

Chapter 4: The Eyes of a DJ

-Letter to Alica: Segment 2-

...You had a life. I realize this, and it makes me feel horrible to know that you might never be the same. I don't want you to break down; I want you to have the best life possible...

Chapter 4: The Eyes of a DJ

“How much wood would a wood-hog hog if a wood-hog would hog wood?

“I don’t know, HOW much wood would a wood-hog hog if a wood-hog would hog wood?

“Well, a wood-hog would hog the wood of a hog that hogs the wood of the wood-hog’s wood.

“...What in Equestria am I saying?”

Alica lied alone in her room on her bed, engulfed in pillows. She had resorted to saying random things to herself to keep from being bored. She was only thirty pages into the first book Twilight gave her, but still she couldn’t help but humor herself. After giggling for a minute, she picked the book back up to start where she left off.

So far it had explained the history of lucid dreaming and how it had grown to be more and more scientific. Star Swirl the Bearded was the first to really experiment with it. He was mostly famous for his time spells, but he also had an interest in many other things aside from it. He had even tried to create a spell that would induce lucid dreams, but to Alica’s dismay, she read about how he never exactly finished it.

As she continued reading, it started to explain the basics of how dreams work. This, here was review for her, so she decided to skim through to where it introduced something new. It explained the importance to dreaming and how ponies often-times never remembered them. Alica knew this all too well, so she continued on her merry way of finding something interesting.

Eventually, she came to the chapters specifically on lucid dreaming. All it had was the same science she already knew. For many chapters, she just simply kept running through the pages. For the entirety of the first half of the book, she found nearly nothing new; although, she did in fact stop to read about how there are large contraptions being made that planned to be used to record individual’s dreams. That, there, was something she found extravagant.

It wasn’t that long until she reached the second half, since only thirty minutes had passed. After doing a quick stretch and yawn, she started reading a tutorial-like section on being lucid in a dream. Because Alica wasn’t particularly a ‘master’ at it, she decided to put in a bit more time to go through this.

Rule 1: Don’t underestimate yourself. Get yourself to believe that you are already a dreamer. If you can get yourself to believe the dream is a reality to you, then it becomes a reality. If you need to, meditate. For some, this is essential to effectively lucid dream, but for others, it can come naturally. Do what you feel will help you the most, for everypony is different.

Alica stopped here for a moment, and then realized how she had forgotten about the importance of believing in yourself. She kept it in mind as a mental note as she continued.

Rule 2: Do reality checks. Make it a habit to do them at least every hour. If you don’t, you won’t get very far at being able to achieve lucidity. Raise your hoof and look at it; mash your hoof with the other one to see if it passes through; look around your surroundings; and do anything you can to observe the world you're in and determine if it's a dream or not. Legitimately consider it, don't just immediately think "no." A very helpful trick to keep in mind is to check your memories for impossibilities of the physical world. The most important thing is that you make it all a habit so you will do reality checks in the dream.

Just then, Alica realized she should do a reality check. Nothing seemed offset, so with a final look around, she sighed and moved on to the next rule.

Rule 3: Keep a dream journal. With one, you will have a better idea of what your dreams are like so you can recognize them to be dreams. Make it as detailed as possible. Notice recurring dream signs and make sure to tell yourself that you will become lucid if you see one. Make it a habit to do reality checks if you just so happen to see a dream sign, whether it be physical or actually in the dream.

Alica stopped again, and then realized she had forgotten to write down the one she had that morning. Scrambling, she went to her notebook and scribbled different keywords she found were important like ‘Wanderer’ and ‘floating upside-down on a cloud.’

As she went back to reading, time started to pass until she heard the front door open.

“Hi Alica! Are you home?” It was Morning.

Alica hesitated to answer back when she remembered that Morning had interrupted her nap earlier in the day. Hoofsteps went up the stairs, and a slight knock came to the door of her room.

Alica didn’t answer. Instead, she hid under her blanket.

“Hello? I’m coming in.” The door opened up cautiously a single second later.

It was silent for a moment, and right as Alica started to think that her hiding technique had actually worked, Morning called to her, “I know you’re there.”

“No I’m not,” stated the breathing lump under the covers.

With a small chuckle, she called back, “yes, you are.” She sat next to her on the bed, and then asked, “what is it that is wrong?”

“Nothing,” mumbled the foiled lump.

“I know when you are emotional, trust me. So what’s wrong?”

The pile of blankets finally sighed, and then out revealed the sky-blue unicorn. “To be honest, I kind of feel a little frustrated because before when you left, you woke me up from a lucid dream. I told you before that I didn’t want to be disturbed, did I? I don’t know... please don’t hate me.” She squeaked slightly and hid back under the blanket. Just then, a hoof came under it, lifting the blanket back up. Before she could say anything, Morning hugged her little sister.

“I’m sorry, I think you did mention something like it at breakfast…. please forgive me, Alie”

Tears started to trickle down Morning’s back as Alica wept in deep emotion of the long day. Nothing much was said for a little bit, but eventually Alica said softly with appreciation, “thankyou. I think I needed that hug...”

As Alica let go of more and more of her tension, she spoke again. “It’s just been a hard day I guess… but pretty good too, actually.” Alica smiled as they broke the hug, and then Morning followed suit, grinning ear-to-ear.

“Really? Alie, please do tell me about it!”

“Ok, so first I was super excited in the dream I had-” Alica told her older sister nearly everything in the day since the dream had started, but made sure to leave out the details of the bad parts. She did, although, mention how Discord had helped her. This surprised Morning greatly to hear, but she urged Alica to continue. When she finished explaining the rest, Alica motioned to her books. “-And now I’m pretty much just reading the books Twilight gave me. So far they’re ok I guess, but mostly it’s all just review…”

“Woah… It does sound like a long day, but I’m glad there were a lot of happy parts.” She went to ruffle Alica’s mane, but stopped herself when she remembered how she doesn’t like it. Instead, she started a new conversation. “So you have work tomorrow?”

“Oh! Yeah! ...oh, wait… yeah… I forgot how I had fallen asleep on the job.” Alica looked down, feeling more and more frustrated at herself for letting something like that happen. She then stopped herself before she needed to be comforted again by Morning. “Well, the least I can do is say that I tried my best, right?” She looked up at Morning.

“Whatever works for you, Alie. You shouldn’t worry too much, you know.”

=     =     =

The next day:

“What do you MEAN you tried your best?!” The manager stood furious in the back room with Alica, who looked down in shame. “You’re SO lucky that everypony was leaving when you fell asleep. I should be making you work overtime! The only reason I’m not now is because Vinyl told me otherwise. I don’t know HOW it could possibly be her fault, because she’s never failed me before. I still respect her.”

“Yes sir.” Alica tried to keep eye contact as she shook nervously in her mind at the thought of what he might yell next.

“Next time, stay aware that you are still working, ya got it?!”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, now, let’s open up n’ get back into the working spirit so we’re all ready.”

“Yes sir.”

“And STOP calling me sir. I’m no drill sergeant no more. I won’t be treated as such.”

“Yes si-... I mean, o...kay.”

Before marching out the door leading to the main room, he stopped himself as he remembered something. “Ah, yes, and before I forget, I have a new placement for you to work in. You’re not gonna drool over my dang counter anymore.”

Wait, what could be worse than serving party-crazy ponies? Alica thought to herself.

The manager led Alica to the room where all the technology and equipment was kept. Alica,  even more perplexed, asked, “so, um, what will I be doing?”

“Helping Vinyl with whatever.”

“Oh, okay… wait, wah!” She jumped up in utter surprise of what she had heard. She simply stood wide-eyed with her mouth hanging wide open.

“She says you would be better to work with rather than Sound Dart. He’s been lazy lately, so I’ve been planning to move him so he realizes just how easy he can be replaced. Whenever the heck he gets here, I’ll have him show ya where everything is so ya can get working A.S.A.P. He’s SO lucky we haven’t opened yet…”

A door slammed in the background.

“Well will ya look at that, I know that door-slam better than anypony else. That must be him. I’ll tell him ‘bout what he’ll be doing. He’ll be in here shortly to give you a rundown of the equipment.” He marched out of the room as Alica stood with her mouth continuing to hang open.

“Wah…”

With about a minute’s passing, Alica started to look around. I have no idea how any of this stuff works… she thought as she pondered over a small, dim, yellow light.

“UGH!” An orange pony bursted out, stomping into the room as he startled Alica by surprise; she nearly fell onto the floor in shock.

“So you’re the stupid pony who took my spot, eh? Wow, your cutie mark doesn’t even have anything to do with this,” he said in an excruciatingly frustrated voice. Alica shook as she glanced to his cutie mark, which was an unidentifiable piece of metal with knobs. She quickly looked away so as to avoid eye contact.

“I’ll keep it simple for ya, missy. The magic energy transistors are over there, the computer interface is over there, and everything else you need is in that closet right there.” He pointed to the corresponding spots as he spoke. “Ask Scratch about anything else, because I don’t want to talk to you ever again. HAVE A NICE LIFE.”

“Uh…” Alica stood motionless as he stormed out of the room.

“Wah?”

For a few more minutes, she looked over a chart on the far-wall by the transistors. It looked like gibberish. She looked at the ‘computer thing,’ and it had a screen with a whole new language of this gibberish.

“I’m so fired…” Alica sighed.

“No you’re not,” called a calm voice by the door, making her jump slightly. “Woah, bro, calm down. It’s just me. ..Heya.” It was Vinyl Scratch. She started to walk in and put away her supplies.

Alica couldn’t help but jump again. “Oh, heheh… hi.” Before she resorted to blushing, she stopped herself. “Wait! I have some questions. Why did… uh… you.. uh...” Darn it Alica! Don’t stutter now… Alica thought to herself.

“I know what you’re going to ask.” She put away her glasses as she looked to Alica. “I hated Sound Dart with a passion, and I thought you might like it better back here. Not as tiring, really, ‘cause all you’ll be doing for now is making sure nothing blows up.”

Alica paused for a moment, and then asked, “but… I don’t know what this stuff does. Sound Dart just walked in, pointed to three things, then left!” Why me! Alica thought to herself, still trying to figure out the meaning of everything.

Before Alica got mentally overwhelmed, Vinyl gave a calm chuckle. “Again, I say, I hate Sound Dart with a passion. It’ll be fun to see him working at the counter again. I bet he will be rethinking his life and what I said to him yesterday…”

“Heheh… um, yeah, but…” Alica was about to break down. “He called me stupid. He’s probably right...”

“Pft! Stupid? We’ll see about that. Trust me, with me teaching you, you’ll be just fine.” Vinyl started to set up certain programs on the computer as she continued talking. “He’s just angry, really. He won’t bother you anymore, ‘cause I’d knock him upside the skull… and so would the boss. He’s only gonna to be left mad at himself.”

Just then, Alica shook her head and looked down to her hooves to do a quick reality check.

“Huh, what? Whatchya doin'?” The DJ asked curiously.

“Just making sure this isn’t a dream is all,” she said back as she finished confirming that this was indeed the real world.

“Ahaha, that’s the wildest thing I’ve heard all week!” Vinyl doubled over in laughter, but then looked up to see a disconcerted look on Alica’s face. She then realized that the she might not have been joking.

“Wait, you’re in all that lucid dreaming stuff, for real? ...I’ve tried to do it myself, but I decided it wasn’t real. Is it really real?” Vinyl looked eagerly to Alica.

“Definitely!” Alica answered enthusiastically. “We all dream, even if you don’t remember the dreams. It’s also definitely possible to be lucid, because I’ve done it!”

“Uh… Uh, wow, this is amazing!” She looked up and pondered for a moment. “Maybe I failed because I’ve been too caught up in making music. Day n’ night, ya know?” Vinyl’s ears perked up in excitement as she realized something. “Oh my gosh, you can tell me how to do it! ...well, after work of course.”

“Oh, yeah!” Alica suddenly bounced up in joy. She then looked around the room. “Um, wait… so what do you want me to do back here? I don’t know how this stuff works…”

Vinyl, after finishing up with getting the programs set up and running, started to give a proper rundown of what everything did. Alica soon started to understand the basics of it.

“Oh! So it’s all connected! Is it like how a music box connects to different parts to spin the thingy thing? I’ve practiced hitting the notes with my magic, but it’s hard because I can’t see the prongs… but I can see what you mean when you say that everything here connects together!” Alica beamed happily as she had her moment of realization.

“Pretty much! ...wait, music box? Huh… I’ve never thought of that... you should bring it over sometime.” Vinyl then realized something she should ask. “Hold on just a moment! You know how music works?”

Alica scratched the back of her head with her hoof. “Uh… well… just with what I taught myself. It’s not really much…”

“My gosh, this is awesome! I was right after all in thinking you should be the one to replace Sound Dart.” Vinyl put a hoof on Alica’s back. Alica tried her best not to blush.

“Um… yeah… I kind of have dreamed of making music.”

“I thought as much, especially from that talk we had before. Unique ponies can do great things with music, ya know. So, ‘cause we still have time, let me show you how I do music. That okay with you? Either way if you know music or not, I would have to show you eventually.”

Alica beamed excitedly. “Of course! Please!”

Still in utter awe, Alica soaked up as much information as she could. So much learning in one day… Alica thought to herself as Vinyl started to explain the basics of music theory. She continued to nod and pay close attention to the DJ.

They then moved over to the stage. “And now, here is what I call my Wub Machine. When everything is put together, it is the second-best thing I have. Number one is the good old Bass Cannon. Some will say otherwise, but I saved Equestria with it.”

She motioned towards the different knobs and buttons on the set-up. “Each one of these controls the frequencies and channels, and the rest is used for everything else.”

She then motioned to the Vinyl disks. “Now, these are my babies. They can hold the songs, but they really just help me navigate. The computer connects to them and sends different songs magically. Ya know what I mean?”

Alica squee’d lightly. “Just a small thought, but vinyls are so much like music boxes! Music boxes turn to play, and so do vinyls!” Alica stopped to ponder over how the music set-up worked. Suddenly, she went wide-eyed. “Oh my gosh… I know how to play my music box now! I have an idea for when I bring it over. Um… are you okay with helping?”

“Heh, that music box must mean a lot to you...” She finally noticed something as she looked to Alica. “Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t notice it until now. It’s your cutie mark!”

Alica tried not to blush. “Um… Uh…” Darn it, how do I respond? She thought.

“Well, the place should be opening up soon. Now that you know the basics, you can go read the hoofbooks if you want. They’re just in the bottom drawer of the desk,” Vinyl said, walking back into the room.

“Okie,” Alica said as she followed in, dazed with conflicting emotions.

After searching through the drawer, Alica found four different books. One was of magic electronics; the second was of DJing and associated hardware to DJing; the third was of music producing; and the last was… a comic book featuring the Power Ponies.

“I’m gonna head out. The party is about to begin,” Vinyl said as she put on her signature violet-tinted glasses. “If you have anything important come up, like, if it looks like something might explode, just come up to the stage and tell me.”

“Wait, but… wouldn’t I be interrupting the show?”

“Nah, just put on a pair of cool-looking glasses and walk up like you know what you’re doing. I have extras right over on the desk.” Vinyl motioned to them, which had completely different style from what Vinyl normally wears. “I wore those in my early days, but then I found my signature.” She then tapped the glasses she was wearing at the moment and started to continue out the door. “I’ll see ya later.”

Alica waved her off joyously. “Good luck.”

“Won’t need it!” The DJ called back.

At last, Alica could feel her heated blush lighten with comfort and relaxation. She did another reality check.

Nope, still not a dream.

=     =     =

For the longest time, Alica was entranced into the books as Vinyl’s music played in the background. With each bass drop, Alica felt two times as much motivation to learn how everything worked. Every time that beautiful enchantment of feelings flowed through her veins, she couldn’t help but sigh sublimely at the artistry’s power. It was a powerful feeling that she didn’t have the chance to feel too often, so she knew that now was the time to do what she needed to do to learn.

Every now and then, she peaked through the door to see the master at work. It was surely a different feeling to be backstage rather than alone in the crowd behind the counter. Although still feeling alone, she knew that Vinyl was only a few steps away from her.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a light connected to circuitry that normally flashes yellow start to flash red. Alica ran over to it and looked around in a panic, then came to the conclusion that she should ask Vinyl if it was important.

She hesitated, rethinking if it was a good idea or not, but then decided that she didn’t want to risk anything exploding like Vinyl had mentioned before.

She poked her head out the door to see the DJ at the booth in the heat of the music and lights. She blinked and looked from Vinyl all the way across the large sea of ponies bouncing in excitement. She backed out almost immediately, breathing heavily.

Then, she remembered the glasses.

A rocking violet-framed, sky-blue tinted pair of shades caught her eye. The design had spiked corners spreading out like a frozen flame. Because of the colors, Alica was already hooked.

Through the eyes of a DJ, she was able to throw away any hesitation walking out the door and right up to the booth with confidence. No problem at all, she thought to herself.

A second later, there stood two DJs on the stage.

“Yo, sick shades,” commented Vinyl as she glanced over to Alica.

“Same to you,” replied Alica.

Vinyl couldn’t help but chuckle. “So, what’s up?” She asked as she kept her hooves busy with the controls and bobbed her head.

Alica bobbed her head slightly along with her. “The light that flashes yellow is flashing red. Is that something I should worry about?”

“Oh, you mean the light that shows how much energy the room has? Ha, yeah, that’s nothing to worry about! I bought it for kicks and giggles. First It’s green, then yellow, then red, then white. Only one time has it been white, but that was at Cadence’s wedding. Pinkie Pie really rocked it more than you’d think is possible.” She scratched the vinyl and adjusted some knobs as she continued the track.

Alica giggled slightly and a beaming smile grew onto her face as she bobbed her head. “Okie.”

Vinyl motioned her head to the knob up at the top. “You see that purple knob? It’s my special FX control. Just turn it clockwise, slowly, as I do this buildup.” Then, the track started to make a transition to hard percussion. A tight synth slowly started to make it’s way to be louder and louder. Along with it, the pitch and tempo of the track started to increase progressively.

Alica followed through, slowly turning the knob.

Around the room, echoes and reverb started to make it’s way into the atmosphere. Once the knob was at it’s highest setting, the entirety of the music started to punch its way past the build-up.

In the room, everything was twice as large as their energy flowed from their hooves onto the DJ board and into the air itself. Alica had only one part in helping, but yet, she felt the thrill that she could only dream of. How am I not dreaming? Alica thought to herself.

Vinyl used her magic to light up another knob and motioned for Alica to use it.She twisted it, and it automatically synced a deep bass wub with the rhythm.

Then came the drop. Shivers ran down Alica’s spine as she felt Vinyl’s music.

Their music.

Eventually Alica had to decide that she should finish reading the manuals while she had the time. That way, she could help Vinyl in more ways than just turning simple knobs.

Somehow, the flashing red light seemed a tad bit brighter. Not only that, but so seemed her spirit. She was ready to learn, and with that powerful feeling of Passion implanted into her heart, she didn’t hesitate to get back to the books. It wasn’t possible, it seemed, for this to be real. Yet, though, with another reality check that Alica did before reading, the impossible was indeed possible.

=     =     =

The day trailed on and everything started to settle down. Suddenly, Alica realized that the music had stopped playing. She checked the time to see that the day was over.

Then, the DJ came through the door and wiped her brow in exhaustion. “Woah, if that wasn’t intense, I don’t know what is.” She put away her glasses. “So, how are things goin' over here?”

Alica smiled happily as she put down the book on DJing. “I finished the electronics book! If it’s ok, I’d like to take them home to review and finish all of them. Is that ok?”

Vinyl nodded. “Of course.”

Alica then realized that it would be a good time to ask a few questions she had been thinking about. “Oh, um… I’m just wondering… Why did you bring me home last night? I mean… I don’t even know how you knew where I lived.”

“Heheh, yeah… well, I kind of poked around the office to find your information. I’m kind of part of the management team, so yeah.”

“Oh… I guess that makes sense... but, um, why?” Alica asked.

“Hey, I tried to wake you up, but you didn’t budge. I thought that… well… I should carry you. I totally didn’t want the boss to yell at you that night, so I took responsibility. I shouldn’t have played that slower song… especially ‘cause it was our specialty nightclub,” Vinyl said, trying to show Alica her reasoning.

“I… I guess I understand… I don’t know how I can thank you.” Alica smiled slightly and gratefully.

“Look, you aren’t that heavy, so it wasn’t a problem. Don’t worry about it. With our small talk earlier that day, I couldn’t just leave you there to… well… yeah,” Vinyl said back in a reassuring voice.

Alica didn’t know what to say. “I… I…” Alica shook her head before she started blabbering aimlessly, and decided to change the subject. “Never mind, sorry… Um, so you said before that you wanted to know more about lucid dreaming?”

“Ah yeah! I am more than just curious.” Vinyl looked at the time. “We should finish closing up first. How about ya tell me when we walk home?”

=     =     =

After cleaning up and preparing for the next day, Alica said goodbye to the manager and thanked him. He simply waved her off in a gesture that spoke ‘no problem’ as she headed out the door alongside Vinyl.

“So, how does it work?” The DJ asked.

In response, Alica summed up almost everything from the books she was reading. When she mentioned how Star Swirl had tried to create a spell to induce lucid dreams, Vinyl stopped her.

“Wait, so why aren’t ponies trying to finish the spell? I bet you the princesses have figured it out… or something!” Vinyl commented.

“I don’t know… I’d have to ask Twilight. She told me to just read the books… and then I guess I’d talk to her again after?”

“Ah, okay. Wow, I want to go into a dream so bad! ” Vinyl said excitedly.

“Yeah… Me too…” Alica looked down as they walked, and as she started to think about how she was still having troubles with lucid dreaming, she closed her eyes in distress and disoriented hope.

“Uh… I thought you were the one who had a lucid dream. What do ya mean by ‘me too?’” Vinyl stopped Alica in her tracks as she looked at her with empathy. “You ok, Alica?”

“I… I… I don’t know. I had one, but it is still really hard. I wish it was as easy as just using a spell…” Alica said, evermore forlorn.

Vinyl looked at her for a minute, and then she lifted Alica’s head and said, “you know, sometimes dreams come true. Heh, a dream to dream, right? We can work together to dream, how about that?”

Alica could feel melodies dance inside her body. “You’d… you’d really be a part of it? I mean, that’s wonderful!”

They started walking again as Vinyl continued. “Well, I did say I was interested in it, and there are some things I haven’t told you yet.” She started to think, getting back on track. “So, you were going to talk to Twilight?”

“Yeah, and if that doesn’t work, maybe Luna,” Alica said. “Luna goes into dreams I think, so she should know something.”

“Sweet! Just tell me when you find something.”

They both stopped at the entrance to Alica’s house shortly after finishing the conversation. After Alica said her farewells and thanks, and also after she was inside and out of earshot, she squealed louder than ever before.The day had been utterly perfect, and she still had time to finish the books Twilight lent. With that in mind, she pranced happily up to her room to delve into infinite knowledge.

=     =     =

After countless hours, Alica finished two of the three books. The third and final one was the one on superstition, so she was rather rhapsodic as she picked it up. What curiosities were held in this great book? Is this what might have the answers she needs? These were the sorts of questions she had in mind as she started flipping to the first page.

It read as followed:

Close your eyes. What do you see? Black? Or do you see colors before the darkness? What if you were told that you go into a new world when you dream? That you access new worlds? New universes? It seems rather impossible, correct?

Now, what if you were told that the fragments you can see when you close your eyes are proof of these extra worlds? It is simply imagination, some can say, but who is to prove it wrong? Nopony, so it can be concluded that there is more out there to be seen.

Here we will discuss what sort of possibilities there are and what some individuals have experienced over the past centuries. Here, we will show how dreams and reality are two of the same thing. For one, there is very shocking proof of extra dimensions, so get ready for a perspective you’ve never seen before.

Hold onto your seats, everypony, for it is here where we dive deeper into where few even dare to consider looking...

Chapter 5: The New Finding

- Letter to Alica: Section 3-

...You are such an amazing pony. You know that, right? When you found Aven, and when he found you, you helped bring us all back together, which seemed nearly impossible to all of us…

Chapter 5: The New Finding

Underneath a billion moons, there stood the sky-blue unicorn, Alica, looking over a vast, crumbling world. Drop-offs led into an endless abyss of darkness. It was once Ponyville, but now what it was all just a mess of chaos equivalent to the power of Discord.

The ground was shattered.

Waterfalls fell where rivers cut off.

A dim haze crept its way over the landscape for miles in all directions.

Alica simply stared at it as if it were her fault. A deep dwindling shame built up inside of her as she looked down with tears forming in her eyes. Behind her, a very deep, low voice spoke to her. “Leave the beaver be. His belly speaks for himself.”

As Alica turned around, she saw a large intimidating chicken within a chicken costume. She closed her eyes, nodded, and looked down at her hooves.

She was wearing a chicken costume too.

Beneath her, the ground started to crumble, and with it, Alica started to fall as the large chicken flew away and into the dark, dusky sky.

Alica fell deeper.

Deeper.

And deeper.

But then, in her last attempts at grabbing something to stop her fall, she woke up panting straight up in her bed.

~     ~     ~

It was only just a dream… She thought to herself.

“Woah…” Alica couldn’t stop panting as she sat up in her bed in amazement of the dream. She then jumped up as she realized that it was a good moment to use her dream journal for this. After writing down everything, she reread it and giggled at how ridiculous it sounded. It wasn’t just confusing, but it made absolutely zero sense.

She looked beside her as she finished writing, and there she saw the book on superstition hidden under one of the many pillows. It was evident that she must have fallen asleep while she was reading the first few chapters.

“What a dream…” She sighed and picked up the book, finding where she had left off.

It had stopped at the point where it was finishing up giving essential basics. The next chapter that lied ahead was where it started to actually discuss some interesting topics.

The first was of predictions of the future, where many ponies had glimpses of events yet-to-come. From Alica’s view, she knew in her heart that this was no coincidence. What she found fascinating, though, was that it showed the possible explanation that all ponies were connected to the universe through dreams and dream-states in the mind.

More than ever then, she knew she was loving this book the most out of all the three.

The next topic was of abandonment of reality, where some ponies had a view of the universe as if it weren’t the real reality. Many had resorted to suicide, and others had simply dedicated all their time to sleeping. Some ponies couldn't help but have shame and loneliness, no matter what they do to try to move on from what they may have experienced.

Before Alica could feel depressed, though, she came onto the next topic. It was the creation of reality, where ponies had found a way to live in two worlds. This was different from the previous topic because the other was about forgetting one reality and jumping into another. This idea, instead, included accounts of ponies who had learned to live a joyous life of peace and serenity.

Alica started to lose track of time as her mind had completely focused on the book and the accounts of ponies who had found peace.

She stopped at this very topic in a daydream.

She was with Vinyl inside a building on the side of a cliff, overlooking a large span of land in a valley leading towards what appeared to be an ocean. Although, then the colors dissipated from the corners of her vision soon-after, and she lied in her bed full of pillows, alone. She rolled over, sighing, and tried her hardest again not to feel depressed once again.

It didn’t work, and in a few seconds she felt the urge to cry.

There was no crying, however, for it was like a part of her wasn’t allowing such an action just yet. She rolled back onto her back and stared at the ceiling. A wave of emotions flooded through every vein in her body, and with it, gave shivers down each passing nerve. Suddenly, she locked her eyes shut, and she tightly tensed up and tried to imagine that moment with Vinyl again. Vague colors started to pass by, and so very vaguely, she was there again. She tried to imagine the table and the window. She tried to imagine she had her hooves touching the firm, solid surface of this table. She tried to imagine experiencing everything.

She was so close, yet so far.

She imagined closing her eyes in the dream, and in a very desperate attempt, she opened them back up, trying to imagine herself looking at the world with her and Vinyl.

She was only left with the ceiling.

Trickling down her cheeks, she felt the soft sensation of tears flowing down in all directions onto the soft bedding. This was the real reality, and it seemed that there was no escaping it.

=     =     =

Hours later, Alica went down to the club only to find that they were closing down while they were doing some major remodeling. She was assured that she would continue to be paid because of the very short notice.

Alica thought that perhaps it was for the better for her, for she still felt forlorn from the morning. Morning had tried to cheer her up as usual, but to no avail, she couldn’t lift her spirits. Even when Vinyl went to say hi, Alica couldn’t help but blush and say that she was sorry and needed to get some reading done.

Back at home, she dropped onto her bed and started to think about what exactly she was going to do. She sighed, and looked to the book beside her. It was almost like she didn’t want to read it anymore. Then, though, in the corner of her eye, she started to focus on her little music box atop of the dresser. She suddenly felt something completely different, and felt the urge to wind it up.

So she did so, and she listened.

With the last note, something clicked inside her as faithful feelings came back up. Somehow, she could feel like this wasn’t the end of her story; there was so much more to come, and she could feel it. She had a purpose, and now was the time to continue.

With simple levitation magic, she picked up the book and opened it to where she had left off; the next chapter awaited.

It was Star Swirl the Bearded’s secrets. Alica jumped up in surprise, for according to the book, there were suspicions that this wizard had kept a few spells hidden. For reasons unknown, he didn’t want others to even find out about it. It was nearly like he wiped it from the face of history.

The proof: A letter to Discord.

It had been scavenged after the fall of Discord and the disappearance of Star Swirl.

Dear Discord,

Honest conciliation is impossible with dishonest promises. You take an empty throne, Discord. I do not know if thou hold any other lies beneath your grip, so therefore your word has but no meaning and you will thus face consequences. Thus more, I state that with new arcana I have mastered in private, darkness I see is embedded in thy very being. The royal sisters have a means to stop you, and will ensure peace for all the land; thou shalt not interfere with the harmony of Equestria any longer. You have one day to reply and accept a minimal punishment.

With sincerity, your old acquaintance,

Star Swirl the Bearded

The letter in response read as followed.

Dear old, loony Star Swirl~

I have always loved hearing your rambles. They humor me, but right now you have no clue just how much you are making me roll on the floor laughing. It’s simply priceless; you have no idea what my dreams really are! Really, it is quite a funny idea that you are just barely finding out about this *arcana and say that you’ve mastered it. If you truly know me, then you must know that I've indulged myself in fantasies far before you would ever guess. Manipulating the universe is my specialty, and same goes for dreams. I find it even more hilarious that you are forced to keep so much of this secret, as well. You tell me that I lied, but here you are with your own little hidden discoveries that you fear others will shoot you down for. Oh boo hoo! Nopony will ever believe the great Star Swirl the Bearded! Sure, maybe you’ve had the help of Luna and got her support, but most of it is still beyond the public's knowledge.*

Here, I will put it simply -- you are but a tiny worm in the wide ocean of my chaos.

You have one night to have dear Luna and Celestia back down, or I will easily turn your world upside-down in a snap. Also, who’s to say I haven’t already? Your control is merely an illusion, and as is your attempts to figure me out.

Your old friend,

Discord

As she continued reading, she found the history following the time of the letters was vague and forgotten; although, it was certainly known that Star Swirl had mysteriously disappeared around that time and the following decade. Alica sat back in her bed and overlooked what she had just read. She was absolutely astounded by this new information.

A third time she read it, and then she decided what she needed to do next.

“Time to do some friendly interrogation,” Alica said positively as she got up.

=     =     =

For a whole hour, Alica sat in the nearest restaurant to her house that sold hayburgers, waiting for Discord to arrive. She had written a letter and put it into the mailing system in hopes to ‘hang out,’ but really, she was a mare on a mission. No matter how wrong it felt to interrogate Discord, nothing would stop her from dreaming.

Right as Alica was about to think he wasn’t even coming, in slithered the draconequus. Many ponies stared and walked out for the fact it was Discord. Nothing particularly ‘normal’ happened when he was around, after all.

“Oh, phew… For a second I thought you didn’t get the letter.” Alica sighed as Discord sat in the seat across from her.

“I got the letter, it just took a while for the mail pony to find his way through my sub-dimension.” He sat back in the seat and chuckled. “It’s probably going to be a regular thing."

Alica didn’t know what to say further about that, so instead she changed the subject. “So… Anything interesting happen lately for you?”

“Huehuehue, there was a crazy thing with cutie marks happening yesterday with Twilight and her friends. Some crazy mare had it coming to her… Very powerful magic, I have to say, but friendship beat her. I was eating popcorn the entire time, quite a show!”

“Huh?” Alica scratched her head with her hoof.

“So what about you, my fine little pony?”

“Uh... “ Alica thought for a moment on how to respond. “Well… I heard a few things about you in a book…”

“Hm… so what did it say about me? I’m in a lot of books. I’m famous around these parts.”

“It was talking about… a… well… Do you know Star Swirl the Bearded?”

Discord froze at the mention of the name.

“I can’t say I do. Why do you ask?” Discord asked politely.

“Well… it’s just that when I was reading my dreaming book, it said that you and him were writing letters to one-another?”

A dark haze surrounded Discord as his voice lowered. “Which letters?” He continued trying to sound clueless.

Shivers raced down Alica’s spine at the sound of his tone. She derped out for a second, but then went to her bag to find the book. She turned to the page with the letters and showed Discord the proof.

Discord looked it over and over again as he just stood there silently. Alica waited for any kind of response, and mentally prepared herself for the worst.

“HAHA!” He leaned back in his seat. Slightly, his eye twitched. “Why in Equestria do you show me this bogus? You shouldn’t believe books like these. They fuel rumors.”

“I… I’m just trying to get into lucid dreaming, that’s all. From speculation, the book says that there must be arcana about dreaming that was involved…” There was a short pause as Alica looked down.

Discord finally broke. “There’s no hiding it, is there?” He got up suddenly. “If you want me to say it, then I’ll just say it. The password is ‘Conception.’” With that said, Discord teleported away.

Alica stared at where Discord once was.

“...huh? ... Did I miss something?” Alica asked herself as she sat alone.

=     =     =

Alica paced around her room.

What does it mean, what does it mean?! She thought furiously to herself, I’m so close… I’m so, SO close! Was there some sort of hint he gave? She tried to recall something, but failed to find anything useful.

“Hey, Alica, are you in there? I’ve been worried, I keep hearing you walking around. There’s going to be a party soon, hosted by Pinkie Pie. Maybe that could take some things off your mind?” Morning’s voice asked behind the door.

A light twinkled inside Alica at the mention of Pinkie. Twilight had said how she had a thing with Pinkie senses, so perhaps there was something that she might find if she went to the party.

“Okay, sure!” Alica felt a sudden rush of excitement.

“Okay, we will leave in ten minutes. It is getting a tad bit windy outside, so try to wear something warm. The party is outdoors.”

“Okie!” Alica beamed as she scavenged to find something in her dresser-chest. After finding her faithful, old, slightly wrinkly and purple scarf, she didn’t hesitate to hurry by the front door to wait for her sister.

=     =     =

There was a bright haze high in the sky as Alica looked around the party for Pinkie. The party was placed on a small grass hill in a park just next to ponyville. Without any luck, she sighed and went to plan B, which was actually about the party itself. Before, while Morning and Alica walked down to the park, Morning told her that Pinkie was hosting it for a new pony that came into town. What Morning didn’t say, though, was his name. This made everything a tad bit difficult for Alica to find him when she couldn’t even find Pinkie, to say to the least.

So, Alica decided to start asking around.

After asking a few ponies and getting nothing but bleak answers, she finally came across a light-brown stallion with a gray mane.

“Who, you mean me?” He responded, confused.

Alica blushed in embarrassment as she realized that she must have found him. “Oh! Sorry, I had no idea who you were- or- I mean… sorry…”

He chuckled. “Don’t you worry about it… I don’t even know myself anyway…”

“Wait, what?” Alica asked.

“Well… I know my first name is something like Aven, and my last name is something like Heistmare, but I don’t remember a single thing since waking up in the forest.” He scratched his mane with a hoof. “It feels so awfully strange to try and remember… Anyway, what is your name, might I ask?”

"Um... my name is Alica. I... but wait, you are being serious? Is there anything else that you know?"

“Well, I have had random visions...”

Alica’s jaw dropped. “Whah…”

“I know, ponies have been calling me crazy. I’m some delusional stallion who woke up not even knowing himself. Just don’t rub it in. Too much has happened in the past few days…”

“No! no, no, I'd like to say that I have visions too! Not only that, but weird thing are happening… like a brown pony in a tie telling me that ‘something big’ is coming,” Alica blurted out.

“Oh! You’ve met him? He was the pony that found me in the forest. But… hold on a second, you have visions? Are they about wizards and beards?”

“I can’t believe this!” Alica did a quick reality check, then continued talking. “I haven’t had too many about him, but I’ve had a lot with Discord and my parents! What was it about the wizard that you saw? It must have been Star Swirl, I am trying to figure something out about him.” Maybe she didn’t have to find Pinkie after all, she thought.

“Heh, you know, this is where ponies don’t believe me, but there should be a location with some kind of hidden passcode system.”

Alica could feel her heart beating faster and faster in excitement as everything started to connect together.

“Where?”

“Um… I don’t know why you are so overly-interested in it, but it is under the east bridge in ponyville. You have to say some sort of word, but I don’t know what it could be, the vision didn’t say-”

Already, Alica was running in the direction of the bridge. “Gotta-go-thankyou!”

Pinkie trotted up happily beside Aven a few seconds later as he watched Alica run. “I was looking for you everywhere! So how are you liking the party, Heisty? I hope it’s going super duper!”

“Thankyou Pinkie, but I have a feeling that I need to follow Alica.” With that said, he ran off after her. “Oh! And the party was splendid!” He added, calling back before continuing to run off.

“Okie Dokie Lokie! Have fun! We should totally have another party just like this one!” Pinkie waved goodbye to him as she shouted in glee. Just then, her Pinkie senses triggered her entire body to start shivering from the tip of her tail to the top of her head.

“WOAH! That one was a DOOZY! If only I could tell Alie, she would be super duper excited!” Pinkie stated to nopony in particular as she started to bounce away towards the candy table, humming to herself happily.

=     =     =

Running faster.

Running faster.

Faster, faster, faster…

“Alica! Alica, wait!” Alica was finally in sight by the river under the bridge. The rock formation on the underside of the bridge started to twist in on itself to form a tunnel leading deeper into the ground.

Faster and faster, Aven ran to catch up. He nearly stumbled for a second, but arrived just in time as the passage was closing.

Once squeezing inside, the light behind him stopped shining. After his eyes adjusted, he could see a faint, dim light ahead in the twisting, cave-like tunnel. One large step after another down the tunnel, he finally took his last turn around a corner and found the source of the light.

He was in a luminescent rotunda of rocks and gems, and into the walls there were hallways of dusty books with cobwebs spiraling in any possible direction. In the center of the rotunda stood an even more luminescent area with a platform. Upon it, Alica stood, looking up at something. Aven followed her gaze, and then realized what it was.

It was a large, abstract, white orb.

As he leaned closer, the orb seemed to shrink and form a large aura. As he leaned backwards, the orb seemed to grow and the aura shrank with it. The two continued to stare up at it silently.

When Alica finally looked down, she turned around and jumped when she saw Aven. “Ah!”

“Ah!” He was startled out of his trance, but then remembered where he was. “Oh… sorry, I should have told you I was here.”

After realizing who it was, Alica relaxed as she wrapped her scarf snugly around herself. “Oh, my bad… I probably shouldn’t have run off like that...”

There was a silence for a minute, but then she looked back up at the orb. “I don’t know what to think…”

“...Me neither… what do you say it could be?”

She paused for a second, attempting to figure it out. “I… I guess we can check the books. I can tell you everything while we are looking...”

=     =     =

“-So because of that Discord you mentioned, you realized the connection? Wow… this is uncanny,” Aven awed in wonder as he thought over Alica’s explanation for running off.

“Pretty much,” Alica stated as she continued to browse through the shelf for anything interesting. “It was like a gut feeling or something…”

“Wait, what was that password again?” He asked.

“Conception, and no, I don’t know what it means...” Alica continued searching.

“Huh, I don’t know why, but it sounds awfully familiar…”

Alica paused for a minute. “Wait… I think I glanced over a book over here that had that word!” Alica hurried over a few steps to the left to find it. “Yes! ‘Conception Experiment Journal’ was what it was called! ...But it doesn’t have an author. Weird…”

“Oh, still, let’s open it up!” He stated.

After finding a table with a few chairs, the two ponies sat down to read it together.

What does it mean to dream? What meaning might there be in such a question? I have done my research, and here I shall put down on paper all of my findings thus far.

There is another world out there. I have explored it with Princess Luna, and we both found the potential with it. She proposed the idea that it could be possible to go into other pony’s dreams, and with both of our magic combined, we found it was indeed possible. First we started to experiment distances, then later with other ponies.

We found that distance doesn’t matter, nor the pony.

We refined this skill until we could access nearly everypony’s dreams. It takes a set practice, but there are infinite possibilities once it is mastered. Even with how old I am, and how long I have worked on it, I still cannot master it. Therefore, I’ve come up with a theoretical solution.

Conception.

By this definition, finding conception means to conceive the universal ‘key’ idea used to unlock every door in our mind. In other words, we must find a state of mind where we can grow to our full potential. I know that this is the last thing I must research.

Why I choose to research this? Well, for some particular reason, I feel a personal emptiness inside. For scientific reasons, I say that this is a curiosity for the sake of the universe, but I suppose it is also for the sake of myself. Nevertheless, I hope that conception can help create a theory of the entire universe and even beyond…

As it continued beyond the first few pages, there were charts upon charts of data and statistics dealing with dreams. Alica and Aven browsed through it.

“It’s… it’s possible. It’s really possible,” Alica said in astonishment as she continued to look at all of the data.

“Well… that, or the author was bored and made everything up,” Even said, stating the possible flip-side.

“No! Look, he actually has instructions for a spell!” Alica squealed in delight. “Oh my gosh! I need to show Twilight this! And it also said that Luna could go into dreams! It was mentioned with Discord's note, too, now that I remember. I thought it was just stories fillies were making up…”

Alica stopped for a second, realizing what she could do. “Wait… Luna goes into dreams… If Luna goes into dreams, then I might be able to ask her my questions in my dreams!”

While Alica danced happily around the table, Aven sat there with a blank face, not knowing how to react.

“Yay!” Alica grabbed his hooves and bounced around in circles with him, who tried to speak but couldn’t think of the words or questions. Alica continued rejoicing. “Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes!”

Aven looked like he was about to throw up with all of the forced twirling.

Finally, they stopped, and Alica blushed. “Heheh… um… Sorry, this was just my life-long dream, that’s all…” She pawed at the ground, looking down.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not really enthusiastic, but that’s because I don’t remember how to be…. excited, I guess. I still don’t know who I am or what my goals are, remember?” He replied.

“Hm…” Alica thought for a bit. “Well, then I’ll show you! I might not know who you are either, but maybe that can be a goal when we go into dreams?”

He smiled warmly. “I guess it’s worth a shot.”

Just then, Alica realized something. “Wait…”

“What?”

“I… I just realized who else would want to help! I can’t believe I almost forgot, oh my gosh!”

“Really? Who?” He asked.

“Vinyl!”

=     =     =

Taking the book with them and out of the cave, the two ponies sat in the park where the party once was. It had been a few hours since Aven ran off with Alica, but still, one pony hadn’t left.

Pinkie Pie.

“-And then I was like ‘OATMEAL? Are you CRAZY?!'”

Aven sighed. “You told me this joke three times already…”

“But it’s a good one! Don’t you think it’s funny Alica?”

Alica sat on the far end of the blanket on the grass with her purple scarf keeping her warm from the small breeze. She didn’t seem to hear Pinkie.

Pinkie simply scooted over next to her as she noticed her trance-like state. “Hello? Equestria to Alica?”

Alica shook her head as she got out of her trance. “Heheh… I was kind of lost in thought. Sorry…”

“Oooo! What were you thinking about? Tell me, tell me, tell me!”

“Well… It was... “ Alica blushed. “It was about Vinyl Scratch.”

“Oh! Oh! She’s so awesome! She says I’m super good at parties! I help her set up sometimes with her DJ things!” Pinkie bounced up and down in excitement of the memories that came up.

“Yeah… She is awesome… I hope she got the letter asking if she could meet us here,” Alica said, looking down.

“Ah… Cheer up! I’m sure she got the letter!”

“Wait, who is that walking towards us?” Aven interjected.

Alica lifted her head immediately. “Vinyl?!” She looked around, but only to find a purple alicorn carrying nearly a hundred books with her levitation magic. “Oh… it’s just Twilight… Oh! Wait.” Alica started to call out to her, “hi Twilight!”

Very faintly, they could hear her call ‘hi’ back to them.

Pinkie Pie bounced up higher than ever. “Woohoo! It’s another party! Should I get some cake? Oh! OH! No, one second!” Behind a nearby tree, she pulled out a strangely large cannon on wheels. She shot it up into the air, and out of utter confusion, Alica and Aven stared up at the confetti that floated down upon them.

Aven's mouth hung wide open. “...What the hay Pinkie?”

“Twilight! Twilight!” Pinkie continued shouting desperately. “We’re having another party! The DJ’s coming and everything!”

“Um…” Alica started, “Pinkie, actually-”

Cutting off Alica, Twilight teleported next to them. “What? So I brought all these books for nothing? Alica, you said tha-”

Pinkie interjected, “OH! Let’s make it a book party! I’ll make a book fort and we can have a little book war! It's like a pillow war! I’ll go like ‘PEW PEW’ with the books and you will go like ‘she’s too literate! Retreat!’”

Twilight looked over to Pinkie and shook her head, smiling. “Oh Pinkie… You had too much sugar again, didn’t you?”

“Oh come on! I only ate half of a dessert bar this time, not a whole one!”

Twilight put her attention back to Alica. “So, you said you found a book? You also said in the letter that there was a hidden library? Where is it?”

Um… I was going to wait until Vinyl comes first before I explain everything,” Alica said.

“Wait, the DJ? Pinkie wasn’t kidding, I guess… anyway, why Vinyl?” Twilight asked as she finally set down her books.

“Well… she told me she wanted to go into lucid dreaming really badly, so I told her I’d tell her if I found anything.”

“Really? Huh, I guess even successful DJs need to dream too…”

“Oh, oh, oh, OH! I can see her, I can see her!” Pinkie shouted at the top of her lungs, “hi Scratchy!”

In the distance, the DJ was seen walking towards them. “What did I tell you about calling me that, Pinkie?!” She shouted, barely audible in the distance.

Alica waved over to Vinyl.

Once in teleporting distance, she appeared in front of everypony, wearing her usual glasses.”

“Hey guys, what’s up? ” She asked.

“We’re having a book party! What about you?” Pinkie shouted.

“Just finished another track with Octavia. So, what’s goin’ on over here? Did Alica and Twilight actually crack the spell to dream?

Twilight went to respond, “Alica was just about to explain what she found. Right, Alica?”

Alica jumped out of her little dreamy trance after seeing Vinyl again. “Oh! Yeah, so basically I was reading the books Twilight gave me when I came across something pretty interesting…”

As Vinyl sat down with everypony, Alica continued explaining how she came to figure out how Discord had some history with Star Swirl the Bearded that involved dreams. She said how she met up with Discord, went to the party, and eventually got to the point where she and Aven found the cave.

Once Alica finished, Twilight had her jaw dropped wide open. “Star Swirl the Bearded’s secret library… Oh my gosh, you found it! The legends were true all along!”

“Wait, you knew about it?” Alica asked with surprise.

“From what I’ve read, I’ve heard of it but never knew if it was real or not… but you found it! Where is it again?”

“Under the bridge over the river. I’ll show you,” Alica stated joyfully.

“Wait, so what’s in there?” Vinyl asked.

“Books, silly!” Pinkie answered.

“I’m curious too, what is in there?” Twilight asked.

“Books!”

“Pinkie…” Vinyl muttered under her breath, mildly irritated.

Alica answered, “um… well, it was mostly books. Aven and I found this one which was really interesting. Aven, is it okay if I see it for a second, please?”

Aven looked up. While everypony was talking, he had been browsing through the pages. He simply nodded and passed it over to Alica.

“Ahem, so, I guess while we are walking there, I can tell you about it if it’s ok,” Alica said.

“Oh! Wait! I’ll bring the food and blankies! We can have like a little library slumber party!” Pinkie bursted in happiness.

After picking up everything, including the confetti bits, everypony followed Alica and Aven as they made their way to the bridge. Pinkie disappeared for a minute or two, but came back on top of the bridge, waiting for them. On her back was an abnormally large backpack.

“Pinkie! The cave is under the bridge, not over… wait, how did you know where it was?” Twilight called out.

“Okie Dokie Lokie! Oh, and Pinkie Senses told me it was here!”

Twilight shrugged and looked back to Alica, who she had been talking to before they saw Pinkie. “So, as you were saying, all you need is somepony skilled enough to perform the spell? Is it really as simple as that?”

Pinkie trotted down to them with the backpack swaying back and forth as Alica confirmed with Twilight, “yes… or at least that’s what the book says.”

“Star Swirl was the best wizard ever known to ponykind. If he says it works, then it works,” Twilight said as a matter of fact.

Aven cut in, “but how do we know it’s Star Twirl? The book has no author written down.

“It is pronounced ‘Star Swirl,’ not ‘Twirl.’ Besides, I bet he had his reasons for not putting his name on it.”

“Can we get going already?” Vinyl asked. “Wasn’t there some sort of password or something?”

Alica bounced up. “Oh, yeah! Okay, okay. Ahem-” She faced towards the wall. “-Conception.”

Twilight watched in awe as the structure shifted quietly to form a tunnel leading down into the ground.

“Sweet!” Vinyl exclaimed.

=     =     =

Inside, everypony stared in awe of the grand library, but mostly at the large orb that rested in the center of the large rotunda.

“Wh-... What is it?” Twilight asked in astonishment.

"We don't know... Aven and I just found it when we walked in," Alica replied.

“Oh! Fly up to it, Twilight!” Pinkie said to her.

Twilight didn’t hesitate. In fact, she was already preparing to take flight before Pinkie suggested to do so.

As she flew closer, it wasn’t like she was making any distance at all. She kept getting smaller, smaller, and smaller, from the view seen by Alica and the others. To Twilight, when she looked back, she saw everything getting more and more distant and distorted. Eventually, Twilight started to turn around, seeing that she was making practically no progress. After a minute more of flying, she came back panting.

“This is… This is amazing!” After taking a second to breathe, Twilight continued. “Okay, so we have two choices. We can either investigate this mysterious, white, wormhole-like orb, or we can get to work on that dream spell. ...wait, or we can read all of these books and soak up as much information as possible! There is so much to do!”

“Let’s dream,” Alica said in a rather confident voice.

“Same here,” Vinyl agreed.

“Oh! Oh! I always wanted to be in other pony’s dreams! Don’t forget me!” Pinkie exclaimed.

Twilight then asked, “so, what about you, Aven?”

“I don’t mind whatever we do. I’ll just go with the flow…” He replied simply.

“Woo!” Pinkie shouted. “Okay, I’ll go first! Wish me luck everypony!” With that said, she pulled out a pillow and collapsed to the ground, attempting to fall asleep. Her snores were observably fake.

“...Well, I guess you all can find something to do while I read? When I understand it and when I’m ready, we will make a plan as a group,” Twilight said.

“Okie. Here’s the book,” Alica said as she passed it over to her.

“Okay then, give me about thirty minutes and I’ll be ready,” Twilight said as she immediately started looking through it.

“Wait, how can you read that fast?” The DJ interjected. “I mean, what the hay…”

“Practice?” Twilight shrugged as she continued to read through the first chapter. She started to read as she walked to one of the tables down a quiet hall. "Alica is a good reader too. I believe it was practice that helped her."

Aven moaned. “Wow I’m tired. If you don’t mind me, I’ll be joining Pinkie,” he said with another moan and groan, finding a soft pillow to rest on.

With Vinyl and Alica left alone, Vinyl decided to ask, “so should we find a place to talk then? I don’t really want to sleep yet…”

Alica bounced up excitedly. “Of course!”

=     =     =

“Hahahah! What kind of a dream is THAT supposed to be? Chicken costume on a chicken, and then what was it about a beaver that he said? This is hysterical!” Vinyl sat laughing her head off after hearing Alica tell her the dream she had that Morning. Alica simply sat giggling.

“it was pretty random…” Alica agreed. “I mean, for a nightmare, it wasn’t really that bad when I look back to it. It was actually pretty funny I guess, heheh…”

After Vinyl caught her breath, she added, “well, I wish I had dreams like that. It would make life much more interesting, for sure…”

Alica looked at her, confused. “But… Isn’t it interesting already since your a DJ?”

Vinyl took off her glasses and looked down. “You know… well, there is a saying for DJs. Sometimes when you play music for other ponies, you forget to play music for yourself…”

Why… why is she telling me this? I know I love her… but… I just don’t know why she would love ME Alica thought to herself as she rested her head on the table. Don’t come to conclusions, Alica. For all I know, she’s just telling me her thoughts. That’s all… She started to internally fluster in confusion. She might already have a special somepony, anyway… Ugh! I'm thinking too much!

“I’m… I’m sorry you have to see me like this, Alica,” she said, breaking Alica’s train of thoughts.

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I just… just have a lot on my mind,” Alica replied with her head still down on the desk.

“Heh, me too…” Vinyl looked up to Alica. “Okay, how about this. I want to show you something when we get into the dream. Nopony else has seen it before...”

Alica looked up, trying not to blush. “Wait… me?”

Vinyl chuckled sarcastically. “Nah, I’m talking to the books. Who else would I be talking to, bruh?”

Alica giggled slightly with the way she said ‘bro,’ but then continued. “Um… I feel really honored, but… but why me? I still don’t even know why you cared to keep talking to me when we first bumped into each other… or not to mention carrying me home! Or... or even being friends… um, wait, we are friends, right?”

“Heh, yeah, of course we’re friends. At first I just bumped into you, and because you looked like you were a fan, I didn’t want to be rude, ya know. Also, I said I wanted to talk more to get to know ya, so I didn’t want you fired. That was the reason I carried you home. Again, you are a light pony… But, that other day when you mentioned dreams, that was where I felt… well… something. You’ll understand when we get in the dream. It’s complicated…” Vinyl replied.

“Um… Okay,” Alica said, although still confused even with the clarification.

It then came to mind to Alica, I should do a reality check…

Alica looked down to her hooves and expected for them to distort like if she were dreaming. When nothing happened, she squealed very quietly.

“Heh, so I’m guessing you’re excited?”

“Hehe, yup. Just did a reality check, and I’m not dreaming!” Alica beaming in happiness.

“Ah…. ok. Wait, you just look down at your hooves to do reality checks? Isn’t supposed to be more than that? It seems like there should be... whatever, what do I know?” Vinyl said, throwing her hooves up in the air.

“Uh… well…” Alica looked around and did the full routine of what a reality check is, including checking upon memory and the environment. “Heh, okay, sometimes I comes to conclusions too early… but I did a full reality check just now and we aren’t dreaming!”

Vinyl chuckled. “Okay.”

“Hey, Alica! Vinyl! I finished the needed research early. We should be ready now that I know how to induce shared dreaming!” Twilight called out to them.

Vinyl put on her glasses and smiled to Alica. She then called back to Twilight, “awesome! We’ll be right over in a bit.”

Alica could feel butterflies racing around in her stomach. She just couldn’t believe what was happening.

-     -     -

And so, we have the start of a bold adventure. Five ponies; a large, unexplored library; a mountain of Pinkie’s chocolates and pillows; and a vast world of dreams all await.

The story has just begun.

Chapter 6: Into the Dream

Chapter 6: Into the Dream

“Okay, so first off, I will only be able to put two ponies into a dream-state at a time. No more than that for now,” Twilight explained once everypony was listening. “Secondly, I don’t know how long I will be able to keep the spell active. This magic is actually really simple to use, but the amount of energy needed is unpredictable. Although, I know that it is safe because the spider I tested it on didn’t explode.”

“Um… Wait, why would… why would the spider explode? Is it that much of a risk?!” Alica panicked for a second before Twilight stopped her.

“No. At first I thought I might have confused the technique with… well… a different spell. Don’t worry about it.”

“Um, okay…” Alica responded hesitantly, yet still excited in the back of her mind.

“Oh, and one last thing, one pony will be the subject and the other will be the dreamer. The way this works is that the subject will fall asleep like normal, and then while she is in a dream-state, the dreamer will go into the dream with the help of the spell. If there is enough lucidity for each, the two should be able to control the dream with ease.

“Okay, now if there aren’t any questions, who wants to be the subject?” Twilight inquired after finishing the explanation.

Vinyl spoke up. “I’ll take one for the team, and because it’s my mind, I choose Alica as the dreamer.”

“But I wanted to be the dreamer!” Pinkie Pie whined.

Twilight interjected, “no, Pinkie, we need somepony experienced to be the dreamer. The dreamer is the one under the spell and also who has the most control over the dream. Alica is our best bet. Besides, I can’t imagine how hard it would be to keep the spell going with your energy. You would probably wake everypony up in a heartbeat.”

Pinkie sighed and accepted her fate. “Okie Dokie. I’ll just be munching on some crackers.” With that said, she pounced on her backpack and searched though on her hunt for crackers.

“Wait, you brought crackers? Can I have some?” Aven asked.

“Yup! It’s got to be somewhere behind all the chocolates… YES!” Pinkie called out as she threw a crinkled bag.

“Wha… what is this?” He asked as he reached inside only to find a powdery substance.

“Crackers, silly! They KINDA maybe got squished when I stuffed them inside,” she said as she poured a bag into her mouth.

“...uh… thanks, I guess.” With a dissatisfied and pouty face, he started to eat what was left of it.

“Um… anyway, can we get started?” Alica asked.

“Of course! I guess now that everypony agrees with the plan,” Twilight said as she then looked over to Vinyl. “Whenever you fall asleep, we’ll be ready.”

=     =     =

After Vinyl made herself comfortable in a pile of pillows and dozed off, all that was left to do was wait.

Alica walked silently over to Twilight, who was sitting reading over the book again. “Um, Twilight… when will we know she’s in REM sleep?”

Twilight whispered back, answering, “it’s not about being in the REM stage, I can take care of that with the spell. What matters is just getting her Alpha brain waves to calm down close enough to Theta waves. We didn’t have anything to seduce her, so to use the spell it will take about 25 more minutes at most.”

Just then, she walked silently up to the sleeping DJ and put her horn over her, performing an observation spell. After a second of her horn glowing purple with magic, she walked back up to Alica. “Actually, we only have ten 10 minutes. She is a really heavy sleeper…”

Over the passing time, Alica lied in the pile of pillows with everypony.

I still can’t believe we’re doing this… Alica thought to herself. After all this time, I finally have this chance! Just a few more minutes… a few more minutes and I’ll dream like never before. Alica sighed in bliss as she did another reality check with her hooves. She looked up at them as she twisted and observed them. She then checked her memory and the large underground, library rotunda. Nope, not a dream.

When the time came, Twilight silently notified Alica to come to a certain spot in the pillows next to Vinyl. She followed the directions, but first got a few chocolates. Chocolate helps lucid dreaming. That, or at least Alica liked to believe in such.

Alica was in position. “Just close your eyes when you’re ready,” Twilight whispered.

She took a deep breath, and then she closed her eyes with hopes of opening them to a brand new world.

=     =     =

Underwater, there was a city of gold.

Deep down, a pony sank deeper.

And deeper.

A dreamer swam towards her, scooped her up to save her, and rose up and out of the water and of the subconscious mind.

Vinyl started coughing from the water trapped in her lungs as the dreamer finally found a lone island with nothing but sand and a lone, flat rock. After she was able to catch her breath, Vinyl looked around cluelessly, shivering.

“Are you okay, Vinyl?” She asked worriedly.

She looked around to try to find the source of the voice, and then immediately calmed down once she saw who it was. “Oh, hi Alica. Yeah, I’m doing fine. What about you?”

Alica answered with a bright smile, “the best I’ve ever been!”

Vinyl tilted her head. “Huh? Did something cool happen? What I miss?”:

“Wait… You’re not being sarcastic, are you?” Alica asked, befuzzled.

“What? Why would I be?”

"Oh! You don’t remember, do you…” Alica realized.

“Okay, you’re driving me nuts! What the hay is it?”

“We are in a dream, Vinyl,” Alica said, trying to get her to see.

It was silent for a moment, but then Vinyl bursted out laughing. “You’ve got to be jossing me! What kind of joke is that?”

“It’s not a joke,” Alica answered calmly. “Don’t you remember what we were doing in the underground library?”

“Easy! We were… uh, we were…” Vinyl took a minute to think, but then grew wide-eyed as she realized the truth. “Oh my gosh, we really are…”

Alica smiled in joy. “I couldn’t believe it at first either, and it’s still hard to believe, but we really are dreaming…” Alica couldn’t help but squeal in excitement. “This is so real!”

Vinyl smiled. “Okay, let’s get off this dang island then.”

Alica stopped bouncing in joy for a second. “Oh… wait, where should we go?”

“Look behind you,” Vinyl said with a smirk.

As Alica turned around, she noticed a lone door on top of the flat rock. She perked her ears happily as she realized Vinyl’s plan.

“After you,” Vinyl stated.

Alica hurried up onto the rock and opened the door with her magic. What she saw made her stare in awe and wonderment.

Something's familiar about this place…

As Vinyl poked her head through alongside Alica, she sighed in relief. “Wow, I’m so glad it worked!”

Alica shook her head, coming to from her trance. “Oh, heheh, yeah.”

Through the door, they overlooked a large valley filled with lively forests and hills of bright green grass. Alongside the edges of the valley, vertical cliffs of stone, dirt, and dry vines created an endless bowl as far as the eye could see.

There was no sun. Up above there were billions of colorfully vivid, bright stars magnified by the planet’s atmosphere. At that moment, it was as bright as morning-time, and in correspondence, nature gave off that morning smell and vibe to the large expanse of land. It was cool, fresh, and moist in the air, and so very perfectly it fit along nicely with the sound of birds chirping melodic melodies. In the far right distance, there was a tall mansion dug into the side of a large cliff. Directly to the far left, an ocean was seen panning out into the horizon.

Not only was Alica stunned by how vivid everything was, but so was Vinyl. They stood at the entrance taking in its beauty before they continued out.

“So, what do you think of it?” Vinyl asked as they finally proceeded. She closed the door behind them as they walked.

Alica continued staring. “It’s… It’s beautiful, Vinyl.” She looked down and started to form tears of joy. After wiping her face with her hoof, she looked back up and smiled.

“Yeah, what you see here is my fantasy world.” Vinyl was also on the verge of tears. “Finally…”

“Wait, what?” Alica asked in surprise. “I’m confused, I thought you said you never had a lucid dream before.”

“Oh, no, it’s not that at all. I… uh, well… music wasn’t really the first art I’ve done.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go inside to sit down.” Before Alica could ask any more questions, Vinyl opened back up the door to reveal a room with a quaint coffee table and two adjacent chairs next to a large glass window. The walls were a dark tan color with light decor lining the edges. As Alica stepped out onto the soft, gray carpet, she sat on the chair to the right.

Why is this place so familiar? Alica thought once more to herself as she gazed out the window. It appeared that they were high up in the mansion that they had seen at the end of the valley, for she could see nearly everything from the wide ocean to the tops of the large cliffs of rock. Over these cliffs, it plateaued to massive, dark-gray deserts panning out onto the horizon in all view-able directions.

Vinyl sat across from Alica. “I’m just gonna be blunt and say something. Equestria can be bucked-up.”

Alica looked over to her. “Wait, huh?”

“You heard it here first, Equestria can be pretty messed up. Not that it is, but it can be.” Vinyl sighed. “That’s why I wanted to escape so long ago…”

“...Oh…” Alica realized where Vinyl was going. “So… you have these feelings too?”

“Heh, pretty much… I liked to imagine that there was some sort of world out there…” Vinyl’s ears perked. “Wait, you said ‘you too?’ What was it like for you?”

“Well, you see… you know how I said I was never normal?” Alica started to have a vivid recall of her memories in the back of her mind. There were many fillies and colts around her.

“The other kids… they… they wouldn’t stop teasing me. They got to the point where they had me on the floor and they were calling me crazy. I tried being optimistic, but they just tried to put me down… and I broke down many times.” Alica heard laughter in the back of her mind as she could see the faces of the fillies and colts surrounding her. She was shaking uncontrollably with her hooves over her head.

“I don’t know if I told you this, but I have visions-” Just then, something struck Alica. It was the vision of Vinyl and her at a table. The vision that Alica had back when she was reading Twilight’s book. The vision in which Alica longed to have be real so badly. The vision where Vinyl and Alica were together in their own world.

This world. With this very table.

Alica tensed up suddenly, and then pulled her hooves over her head.

“I… I see now…” Alica said, starting to break down.

Vinyl looked at her worriedly. “What is it Alica? What do you see?”

“I- I- I’m sorry-” Alica got up suddenly and rushed out the door.

“What?! No! Alica!” Vinyl cried out as she got up and out of her seat. She tried to follow Alica. “Where are you going?! What is it?”

She can never know, she can never know… Alica kept thinking to herself as she ran with tears starting to stream down her face.

“Alica?! Please! Just say something!”

I can’t, no, no no no... Alica ran faster until she remembered something. She was in a dream; it is a fact that in dreams, anything and everything is possible. With that in mind, she turned around a corner to take the opportunity to vanish.

Vinyl turned around the corner only to find herself looking around in confusion.

“A- Alica?”

=     =     =

Eternal darkness endured in ubiquitical existence...

Alone, Alica sat huddled in darkness. She didn’t even care to imagine anything in specific after putting herself in an isolated realm of the dream. She simply whimpered as she let every dark feeling flood in.

A dark voice echoed around her, vibrating into her very being. “Oh why so sad little filly?”

“I… I… I don’t know.” Alica shook as she curled up and lied on the dark, invisible floor.

“Of course you don’t. Pathetic,” it called out as it chuckled. “I’ve been waiting to meet you, my fair mare. I’ve waited so long…”

Alica broke down more and more. “This is all just a very bad dream…”

“Hah, correct you are.” It started to soothe its voice down as it continued. “You don’t need to feel this pain anymore. Just sink deeper…” As Alica continued shaking, it took a second to pause dramatically. “Sink until you don’t feel anything. Come to me...”

Alica, still tense, stuttered. “I- I- I….”

Suddenly, a voice of a mare cried out over the darkness. “BE GONE!”

With that, the darkness surrounding Alica started to fade, and all that was left was a dim haze covering the entirety of expanse in the area. The mare walked up to Alica. “Don’t listen to it, Alica.” She sat down next to her and talked to her sweetly. “Tell me, what’s on your mind?”

“I… I just want to be alone…” She said back with her head still down.

“But is that really what you want to do? You’re finally in the dream, right? Come on, why are you so sad?”

“I guess… I guess I’m just scared…” Alica thought for a moment. “I’m scared that Vinyl will think I’m making things up. It would be like telling her that we were destined to be together… that’s just wrong, she would think I’m using her or something! And what if she already has a special somepony! It’s like my visions are playing cruel tricks on me...”

“Well, you are in her dream. She trusts you more than anypony else, and she will believe you’re a good pony. Fate has its reasons for doing what it does,” the mare said back.

“But… How? Why?”

"Think about it this way: why not?”

Alica stopped on this idea for a second. “Why… not?”

“Why not. It does not good to worry about something that does no good to worry about. Also, I can bet you that she is worried sick about you. You may think that she is your hero, but right now you are the one who is the hero to her. You got her into the dream.” There was a ‘swoosh’ sound as the voice continued. “-look up.”

Alica lifted her head from her hooves to see a transparent screen showing Vinyl sitting alone in the room that they were once in. Alica’s chair was still lopsided, but that wasn’t what caught her attention most.

It was Vinyl.

She looked more than just lonely; she looked absolutely burdened, on the verge of breaking into tears, and everything else a DJ should never look to be. At that moment, Alica had a huge change in perspective as she forgot her own reason for feeling depressed.

She remembered that dreams are meant to be happy, and she also realized that she needed to change the tides for both herself and Vinyl. She looked back to the mare and responded.

“Thankyou.”

She found that she was looking into the eyes of The Wanderer. She looked back to Alica with an encouraging and hopeful smile. The Wanderer nodded and added, “there are a few things I’ve got to update you with, but it’s not important right now. Right now, I must say one thing. Go to her. She needs you more than you know.”

Not much more was needed to say as Alica ran out of a materialized door. The light-pink pony continued to look to her as she continued to hold her hopeful smile.

=     =     =

What did I do wrong… Was it something I said? Vinyl sat at the table, alone, thinking to herself. I wasn’t rude or anything, but… was it a memory that made her run off? No, she mentioned visions, didn’t she… Vinyl sighed. It’s all my fault, isn’t it…

“Vinyl?” Called out Alica.

Immediately, Vinyl popped her eyes open in surprise and looked to find her at the door. “Alica! What happened? I tried looking everywhere, but I couldn’t find you.”

“That’s okay, it was my bad… You don’t need to worry about me, I was just stressed,” Alica said as she walked into the room.

“No, you were more than 'just stressed!' It was my fault, how ca-“ Before Vinyl could finish, Alica hugged.

“A-… Alica?” Vinyl asked, confused and baffled.

“I just… just have my own problems. I didn’t mean to make you stressed because of it,” Alica said.

“But, Alica,” Vinyl pushed away, continuing. “The thing is, you need to know something about me. I know what it feels to feel… well… to feel what you feel.”

“Wait… whah….” Alica couldn’t form any words to say.

“Look, here’s my story…” The DJ started.

“When I was a filly, I was thinking of what I wanted to do with my life. My parents didn’t inspire me to do anything. They just sort of did their own thing and left me on my own… Sometimes I think they didn’t care about me, but I didn’t really care to tell them what I felt and such.

“I decided that one night I wanted to do something. To be something. At home and in class, I would daydream my own fantasy world where my life actually meant something. The thing that I did most was draw, and the more I drew, the more I wanted to call the world real. My parents weren’t interested in my drawings as much as I wanted them, so I started presenting them to class.

“'Cause I went a little overboard with it all, I got a bit of attention. It so happened that it was bullies who thought it funny to tease me about being wacky and stuff.”

Vinyl looked down gloomily. “I wish I could buck them up now, but one day, they took my sketchbook in the back of the school and held me down as they forced me to watch them rip up each page one by one. That night, I was empty. My whole world was destroyed.”

She looked back up after stopping at the grim memories. “The next day, my Dad told me there was gonna be a rock performance by some older students. Nerds, to paint a better picture, but I kinda respect them now that I grew up.... and I am one myself.... AHEM! Anyway, I wasn’t into music like my dad was, but I had nothing better to do, so I went anyway.

“I don’t remember what the song was about, but it gave me a powerful feeling! It was that sort of feeling I felt when I drew, so I was hooked. The best thing was, the melody was stuck in my head after the show, and I also got my cutie mark.” Vinyl lifted her rump to show off her cutie mark, which was two eighth notes put together. She chuckled. “You might think it would have to do something with beats, but really, I fall in love with melodies.”

She continued as she got back in her seat. “My dad showed me everything he could with his vinyl set -- 'cause he works with vinyls -- and sooner did ya know, I found something new to drive my spirit. I wanted to make other ponies feel that feeling I felt, so I decided to be a DJ. Since then, I imagined bringing my world out through music. I’m guessing it worked… but at least I’m able to share it with you completely -- My dream.”

Alica responded after she took in everything Vinyl said. “That is… I’m so sorry, I can see why you say you understand what I feel...” Alica tried to smile. “But, feelings can be good, too, like in your story.”

Vinyl smiled back. “For sure.”

A pink head popped in through the door. “Hello? You two ponies done?”

Vinyl jumped, startled. “What?! Who in the hay are you?”

Alica waved to the pink pony, then informed Vinyl, “she is my projection, The Wanderer.”

“Wait… Projection?” Vinyl asked.

The Wanderer came in through the door while answering to Vinyl, “well, it’s complicated you see…”

Vinyl laughed. “hah! So this is an imaginary friend? I didn’t know you were into that, Alica.”

Alica blushed. “Well, it’s… complicated…”

Before Alica could explain more, The Wanderer changed the subject. “It’s good enough for me. I’m your imaginary friend now, Alica. Anyway, so, there are some things I need to tell you two. You probably don’t remember…”

Vinyl tilted her head. “Wait a minute, remember what?”

The Wanderer responded, “exactly.” As she materialized an additional chair for her to join in at the table, she continued. “Okay, okay, so how do I put this…”

She thought for a moment, closing her eyes, then popped them wide open and lifted a hoof as she started.

“Aha! Okay, when you two went into the dream, there was something that was activated by the spell. The dream was a nightmare, pretty much. You see, the thing activated was hidden deep in the dreamscape for some time. I won’t be specific, so you are gonna have to trust me, okay? We don’t have much time.”

“Wait, what? What was it that was activated?” Alica asked.

The Wanderer turned to her. “It was the voice you heard back there in the darkness, Alica.”

Alica’s eyes went wide with fear as she heard this new information. It… it was actually something real? Oh no… no, no, no… she thought. Vinyl looked over to Alica and then over to The Wanderer as she stood clueless of what was going on.

“Was there something I missed?” Vinyl asked, still looking between the two.

“Yes, but there isn’t any time to explain. I can only explain a few things and then we are going to have to make up a plan,” The Wanderer explained, continuing. “So basically, in the nightmare, you guys were cornered. He put you two into a coma, sadly… I contacted Pinkie, though, and she is watching you two in a cave up above.”

A billion questions raced through Alica’s mind. “Wait, what do you mean by… up above?” She held her head with her hooves, trying to understand.

“Oh, yeah, I should probably say that you two are in a dream.”

Vinyl face-hoofed. “Well of course we’re in a dream... We know that!”

The Wanderer laughed as she realized she should be specific. “No, I mean that you are dreaming in the dream. Pinkie is watching you guys though, don’t worry. ”

Alica’s mind twisted in every possible shape and form. Shivers then ran down her spine as she realized what she meant. “Wait… A dream… in a dream? Is that even possible?” She pulled her ears down with her hooves, trying to understand still.

Vinyl folded her hooves. “That can’t be possible… This is just a dream ya know, I can't trust what you say.”

“You’d be surprised! Hehe, oh you’d be surprised! With a powerful alicorn like Twilight performing the spell, it is definitely possible. We need to get moving, though, cause with every passing second, the darkness grows stronger. If you don’t believe me, then you two might be stuck in this dream until the end of time. Do you want to risk it?”

Vinyl stared at The Wanderer as she attempted to take in this new information.

“Okay, what should we do now?” Alica asked. “As much as I’d like to be stuck in a dream forever, I still have Equestria waiting for me. Twilight would feel so bad…”

The Wanderer smiled. “Exactly. I’m glad you understand, Alica…” She then closed her eyes and silently started thinking. She then suddenly opened them and spoke. “I have an idea. It’s gonna be risky, but we need to try it. I can set up a block for the darkness for maybe an hour down here. It will only take a minute or so to do what I need to do.”

Vinyl’s mouth hung open as she could think of no other questions. “Just... what the hay?”

“Time moves exponentially slower as you go deeper and deeper into dreams. Hopefully you have something to do while you wait,” the Wanderer continued. With that said, she closed her eyes and evaporated up into the air. All that was left was her empty chair.

Vinyl’s mouth continued to hang open. She eventually shook her head with a hoof brought to her face. “Please tell me that this didn’t happen… this is all a freaking dream.”

Alica shrugged. “Well, a dream in a dream…”

Vinyl sighed. “Uuugh… I’m thinking I want to take the risk and just not believe that mare. Eh, whatever, dreams are crazy anyway, I’ll play along.” She then smiled. “Hey, Alica, how about I give you a little tour while we wait?”

Alica beamed brightly as she jumped up and out of her chair. “Yes please!”

=     =     =

“Wow, this really is big…” Alica said in astonishment.

Vinyl laughed. “Just wait until you see the other 99 floors! Most of them are empty cause I ran out of ideas of what to fill them with.”

“Oh! How about a huge movie screen that we can play our memories on? Hehe, or maybe just make up random things on with our imagination,” Alica said excitedly.

“Oh my gosh, that’s genius! Haha, if we’re gonna be stuck here, we’ll be able to fill up the floors in no time. Heck, we’d be able to make our own city, then the world! There’s no limit!” Vinyl closed her eyes and smiled as she visualized the idea.

“Well, The Wanderer was going to get Pinkie to help with some kind of plan, so we still have hope to… not be stuck,” Alica said.

“Well, yeah. In reality that isn't an option... but you have got to admit, it wouldn’t be that bad being stuck down here with just the two of us... Even if we leave one thing or another up above, it's a good enough excuse to say that the darkness trapped us.”

“Uh…” Alica paused as she tried not to blush. “I guess you’re right…”

Vinyl hoofed Alica’s shoulder. “Come on, you guess?”

Alica stuttered a bit. “W-well, you see… um…”

“Haha! Bro, you can’t hide that blush.”

What the heck! Alica thought in her head as she started stammering, “Uh, n-no it’s not what you think!” What am I saying, it probably is what she thinks…

The elevator opened as the Wanderer started to walk in. Behind her, there was another pink mare.

“Alica! I’ve never seen you blush so much! Did I miss something?” Pinkie Pie bounced out of the elevator as she saw Alica’s moment of flustering.

“Please stop…” she said as she looked down to cover her red-hot face with her forehoof.

Vinyl chuckled. This didn’t help Alica one bit.

The Wanderer decided to change the subject after trying to hold in a giggle. “Okay, I need to tell everypony the plan; we’re still running out of time.”

“Fine by me,” Vinyl shrugged. She had a billion questions she still needed to ask, but she decided it could wait for later.

“Ok, follow me,” The Wanderer said.

They followed her down the elevator and around a few corners until they came into an empty, plain room.

“I want you two to lie down on the bed.”

I’M DONE. I’m done I’m done I’m done… Alica blushed even brighter, but then shook her head. No, wait, The Wanderer probably isn’t implying what I thought she was… Gosh dang it, silly Alica, why did I have to think that, she thought to herself as she tried to cool down. At least luckily Vinyl didn’t make any jokes…

Awkwardly, Alica lied next to Vinyl. “Uh… so… like this? I’m confused, what are we doing?”

“Dreaming,” The Wanderer replied.

Vinyl and Alica exchanged glances. They were both wide-eyed as they tried to take in what was just said. Vinyl looked back at The Wanderer. “We’re doing… what?!” Vinyl couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine, I won’t question it. We’re going deeper. Why the buck not…”

Alica looked dumbfounded. “How is this going to help us out?”

“No time. I’ll explain deeper down. We’ll have twenty times the time.” She looked to Pinkie. “You ready?”

“Yup!” Pinkie Pie said, rubbing her hooves together as she went to pick up a large mechanical device with two wires connected to hoof-bands. She wrapped the bands around both Alica’s and Vinyl’s hooves, and then she pushed a button on the device.

All was black and silent as they sank deeper. Another entire world awaited, once again.

Chapter 7: Darkness

Chapter 7: Darkness

Eternal darkness endured in ubiquitical existence...

It was so dark; oh-so dark. Fumbling through a fabric of thick air, Alica tried to figure out what exactly was going on.

To no avail, she looked back to her memories. She couldn’t conclude anything besides the fact that she was going deeper into the dream that Vinyl and her could potentially be stuck in for eternity. How this could have happened, she had no idea. There were billions of questions and zero answers.

Alica tried looking around.

She saw darkness.

Great… Alica thought to herself sarcastically.

“Vinyl! Wanderer! Hello? Anypony there?” Alica tried calling out at the top of her lungs, but for some reason, no sounds were produced from her lips. She tried lifting her hooves in an attempt to at least navigate.

She had no hooves.

No body.

Before she could panic out of utter confusion and turmoil, she felt a pinch and saw swirling light in the distance.

She opened her eyes, and found that she was able to see. She quickly tried lifting a hoof, if any, and did indeed find that she had the same amount she was born with. Woah… I don’t want to experience that again, she mentally noted to herself.

Now with a tangible dream body, she lifted herself up and looked around. So this should be, what, the third dream level? Alica thought to herself. As she looked around, she could find that The Wanderer was nowhere to be seen, and neither Vinyl to her dismay.

She found herself in what looked to be a dark, forsaken, old-fashioned castle. There were small pocket-windows on the far wall, which had the black night shining through. It was no longer so dark as Alica’s eyes adjusted, and she decided to start heading towards the only passage she could find in the room.

It had stairs that led upwards spirally for what felt like forever, and at every angle there was a tiny window leading outside. After about a minute of walking up, she decided to look outside to see if she could find the others from this high up.

All she could see was a very dark fog down below, but up above, there shone a bright, gray moon. She stared at it for a few seconds, but then something strange seemed to happened.

She was looking at the faces of her parents -- she realized -- in the moon. They were looking down at her, smiling.

Before Alica could react, there was a distant howl and the moon shifted from gray to a simple silhouette. What she saw then was a monstrous wolf grinning maniacally. The dark fog from below covered up the moon, and Alica heard a voice.

“Long time no see, Alica.” It was dark, and it was familiar.

“W-who are you?” Alica asked, trying not to shake in fright as cold shivers ran down to her hooves.

“Oh, I’ve never introduced myself, have I? Some call me The Darkness. Others -- The Night. That is all you will ever need to know. If you know what I mean, I am quite a star.”

Alica felt shivers run down her spine once again. She simply continued walking up the stairs, ignoring the terrible pun.

“Now where are you going?”

Alica didn’t answer.

“I know you can hear me.”

Alica kept walking.

“You aren’t going to find them.”

Ignoring it once again, she found herself at the top, overlooking an abstract world ahead of her. Dark pits overlaid the landscape; large chasms contained dark colors swirling in all directions; huge masses of land jutted out of the ground like deformed mountains and cliffs.

“Well will you look at that. You are more lost than ever. What will you plan to do now?” It asked.

Alica sighed. “You are just a bad dream, and you know it. I will find them, because I’m the dreamer.”

“Haha! Is that really? Can you even say that you know what a dream is? What reality is? For all you know, you could be stuck in this dream forever.”

She kept walking. “I know what reality is. It’s with Twilight up above.”

“But what if it’s not? All your reality is right now is this state of limbo.”

“I don't think you will be able to break me so easy,” Alica said firmly.

“How does The Wanderer do what she does?”

“Easy, she-“ Alica stopped. Here, she had to think deeply about it. She had to think of how The Wanderer had been a part of her visions. She had to think of how she was even a part of the dream itself.

Most importantly, with all the other questions in mind, how she was the one who left the basket outside the house of the Underthoughts.

“It just doesn’t make sense, now does it? It drives you absolutely MAD.”

Alica held her head in her hooves. “Stop it!”

“You might think you’re the dreamer, but without knowing anything, how do you think you can beat me?”

“STOP IT!” Alica shouted at the top of her lungs, trying to quiet the voice.

“See, you can’t even think of a single thing to answer back. Just give up like I said before. It’s not worth it, and you know it.”

“No! Stop! Please!” Alica started to run as fast as she could. She didn’t care where exactly, just away from the voice.

“Why should I? I’m just asking you questions.”

Alica stumbled to find an isolated spot in the chaos around her. It was nearly like what Discord did with the world when he escaped from his stone prison, but here, it was ten times more maddening. There was no humor; only fear, darkness, and utter pandemonium.

Alica just couldn’t find a single spot of solace, encountering yet another large chasm of dark color cut into the ground. She started to panic more and more as she heard the voice cackle in the distance all around her.

Then, almost by luck, she found a tunnel, completely empty.

She hurried inside, hoping that perhaps it was a safe-haven of silence.

Inside, she was glad to find that it was indeed plain and isolated, but then again it was still dark. She took this chance to slump to the floor and try to get her mind together. The questions were there, she just needed to know what she needed to do next. They were just questions, so she knew she needed to find a way to keep her focus steady.

Instead, she started to sob.

For what felt like an hour, she continued to sob uncontrollably. Miserably, her tears fell from her face and onto the hard, stone floor. She was trapped, she knew, suffocating in the dark with no way out. Choke after choke of crying led her to begin to feel a chillness she had only now begun to notice. The sweeping feeling of terror heightened to a peak, and she choked yet again on her own sadness, not knowing what to think or do next.

Eventually, though, she had to lift her head up to wipe her dry tears from her face.

“Maybe… maybe it’s right…” She said to herself as she started to look down. Nothing was left in her eyes but a bitter emptiness. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Every promise she made; every declaration to continue moving; and her last glimmer of hope -- all seemed gone in this quiet abyss of Limbo. Her expression grew grim, and in a slight vision, she saw herself giving up to the dark.

“No, Alica,” the voice of a familiar mare said. She lifted her head up completely to find a lantern. The Wanderer, holding this beacon of light, put a hoof atop of Alica’s head comfortingly. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’ve known him my whole life. You’re going to have to trust me when I say that there is all the reason to keep moving forward.” The Wanderer then smiled, trying to get Alica to see the truth.

Alica put her head back down, still with the vision of giving up. “It’s just…  it’s so hard.”

“But it’s worth it, in the end.” She lifted Alica’s head back up with a hoof and looked her in the eyes. “It’s worth it, okay? I know there are hard times, but you’ve got to remember one thing. There is always hope. I... I faced the worst myself, and trust me, it is worth it to find light.”

Alica looked back into her eyes. “R-really?”

She smiled to Alica, simply nodding. “You are going to have to fight this darkness for yourself. I can’t help any more than trying to get you to see just what you can do. You have so much power, Alica. All you need to do is believe. Remember what you’ve learned, and believe. Nothing can stop you, you see?”

A glimmer of light sparkled in Alica’s eye as she felt that old faithful feeling inside her; it was the great burning fire that drove her very soul.

So then, she proceeded to stand up proudly. Her vision of giving up faded like the dark had around her. There was hope; a vision of pure light and joy filled her being, and she knew, somewhere from her heart, that this was far from the end. This vision, it made her understand that there were things she did not know, but she could push through until she was no more.

“Thank-you, Wanderer. I think I know what to do now.” Alica smiled

She smiled back, nodding. “Vinyl and I will be waiting up above.” She then motioned Alica towards the exit of the tunnel. “Go show him who’s boss, and find a way to un-anchor this dream from his grip. You know how dreams work," she finished with a happy wink.

Alica nodded back, and walked out into the chaos outside. With a glance back, she saw that The Wanderer had disappeared. No matter, though, for she had all of the courage she needed.

So, she continued out.

“Hah, so you’re back? You come to give up defeat?”

“No,” she said firmly.

The voice was taken back from her change in mood. “Oh really? You sure seem proud of yourself. Do you even know who I am?”

“Yes.”

It cackled hideously. “You cannot even COMPREHEN-“

“You are what is holding me back from waking up, that’s who you are.”

“I- I don’t know what you mean…” It started to show a touch of fear.

Alica stood up taller. “Yes, I’ve figured you out. The Wanderer told me what I needed to know…” Just then, she spotted a large wall of colors circling around a large metallic object.

An anchor.

“Th... the Wanderer.... WAIT! No, no, there is no way out and you know it. Stop bluffing!”

“You’re right,” Alica said, throwing the darkness off-guard again. “Not unless I believe. I know how dreams work, and so you must know that I’m the dreamer.” She started running towards the anchor, pushing against the dark forces blocking her.

“No, you DON’T  know how dreams work! One day, you are going to have to accept the cold, hard truth!”

“Okay, but I am not going to listen to darkness to get the answer. I'll see it for myself,” Alica said back, nearing closer.

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND! YOUR LIFE HOLDS ABSOLUTELY NO PURPOSE! GIVE UP NOW!”

Alica then remembered one of the most important rules to dreaming:

‘Don’t give up.’

She forced her way past the wall of dark colors surrounding the anchor and proceeded to unlatch it from the nightmare around. She held onto it as it soared higher into the brightening, abstract sky. The ground below her started to twist and shrink in the distance. Up above, a bright, white light shone down on her as she got closer and closer.

“This isn’t over. You can never deny the truth…”

Alica then felt a tinge of worry seep in as she heard the voice say this. Then, though, she shook her head and looked up, remembering Morning’s very words that she promised upon:

‘Just keep looking to the bright side.’

~     ~     ~

From a small cabin on the far end of a beach by a raging sea, Vinyl was heard yelling like never before.

“YOU KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN! Why would you SUGGEST something like this when you KNEW the risks?” Inside the cabin, Vinyl glared angrily at The Wanderer and then looked away and down to Alica, who was lying comfortably on a bed.

“She is the only one who can overcome it. I told you, I talked with her a second ago. She should be up anytime now.”

Vinyl groaned. “We’ve waited for so long already! You even said you went to help her! HOW CAN YOU SA-“

Suddenly, a sound came from Alica’s direction as she woke up.

“You see Vinyl? What did I tell you?” The Wanderer said as she smiled. “Morning, Alie.”

“Ugh, just five more minutes…” She muttered.

“Heh, reminds me of how I feel sometimes," Vinyl muttered, but then grew wide-eyed as she realized what was happening. "Oh! Alica! You’re okay!”

“Well of course, it’s not like I yell at myself every morning…” She mumbled.

Vinyl tilted her head. “What?” She laughed, not knowing what else to say.

“What was that Morni-“ Suddenly, Alica realized she wasn’t talking to Morning. She rose up out of bed immediately and looked around.  “Wait, what?” She then looked into Vinyl’s and The Wanderer’s eyes as she remembered everything. Still, though, she started to scratch her head. “Uh… Okay, I know that we’re still dreaming… but where are we exactly?" She started to look around for a few seconds, then continued. "I don’t remember this place…”

The Wanderer spoke. “Oh, yeah, about that… right as we went into the dream, the darkness put you under one more time. Into limbo, actually...  We put you here into this cabin until you woke back up.”

Vinyl shook her head in further relief. “I was so worried for you, Alica…” She glared back over at The Wanderer with shimmering anger.

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I think I might have saved us, actually.”

“What? really?”  Vinyl hurried over to help Alica, who was getting up and off of the bed she was atop of.

“I… I think. I don’t know, I was just assuming because of what The Wanderer told me,” Alica said back.

They both looked over to the mysterious pink pony.

“Maybe this is the time where I think I should explain a few things…” The Wanderer said as she side-glanced them, turning another direction.

“You think?” Vinyl said bluntly, clearly irritated.

“Follow me.”

Following The Wanderer around a corner, they found two couches. The Wanderer positioned herself on the one to the right of Alica and Vinyl as they all sat down.

Alica then saw something and gasped. “Wait, is that what I think it is?” In front of them, there was a large screen.

“I don’t know, is a memory screen what you think it is?” The Wanderer smiled ecstatically.

“Oh my gosh! I was just talking to Vinyl earlier about the idea in the other dream level!” Alica squealed happily.

Vinyl chuckled as she sat down. "Well, I guess we should prepare for a show. How long do we have?”

“As long as we need, especially this deep down in the dream. I hurried you guys before because I knew that the dark side of Vex should be stopped before he grew enough power to… well… cause actual damage.”

“Vex?” Alica tilted her head curiously.

“Oh, yeah, he was a part of the darkness down there. Here, let me start explaining what you need to know. This might answer a lot of your questions you’ve had since I first met you in that one dream…”

The screen turned on as it showed a gray-coated and light-blue-maned pegasus stallion with red eyes. Behind him, there were distant worlds and planets. He was resting casually on a couch as he looked out into space through a large, futuristic, glass window.

“So he is. He went by Vex, and his full name was Vex Vitiate.”

In the space station, he stood up and trotted towards a main control panel. There, he seemed to be accessing it to control the movements and formations of worlds below.

“He was a dreamer, but not just that. He created universes one cannot even imagine. He was so skilled at it, ponies would never believe him if he told them randomly off the street."

A few more scenes of extravagant sights passed by, and eventually the scene faded to black. Then showed a close-up view of his closed eyes.

“Eventually, something broke him to a point of no return. A friend ‘betrayed’ him. After that, he closed himself from the world and gave into dark and chaotic magic. Dreams bring a source of magic that is, in its raw form, infinite. By fully tapping into it, he brought out the worst within. With so many negative emotions manifested, he formed a darkness in the very fabric of the universe.”

Suddenly, his eyes opened, and they shone a bright yellow and red. It looked oddly familiar.

Just then, the scene shifted to him as a tall, dark figure standing on two legs shrouded over a corpse.

“He changed the world as we knew it, and with it, he had lost his only friends. I tried to tell him that it wasn’t the way to go, but he ignored me. He assumed that I would remain his friend, and that I would be his queen, but you see, he wasn’t himself anymore. He broke his soul into pieces to access this much dark magic, and from it came two beings.

“In Equestria, a part of him is known by one name: Discord.”

The scene shifted to a dark, abstract tunnel twisting in odd and mindbending ways. Dark colors wrapped inside out. From the right side, Discord seemed to come into being, and from the opposite side there was a shadow of a pony. The tunnel tore in two, and they fell in different directions. Discord's tunnel seemed to spiral up, and up he went. The perspective was kept on the shadow, in which it fell into a downward spiral of further darkness. Everything then seemed to expand, and grow darker and darker to the point at which nothing was visible.

“The other part of him was manifested in deeper dream levels of the universal consciousness. Even when he escaped his stone imprisonment, he still had that connection with who I now call Dark Vex. With Discord's recent reformation, the connection is starting to disappear, so it is becoming more and more likely that we can fix this entire mess. Although, this also makes it so Dark Vex has a greater chance to come into the physical world. He had already come through partially by creating Nightmare Moon, and I fear that we may have another possession on our hooves if we don’t do something about it. Worst-case scenario, the universe is filled with black and he comes here himself with unimaginable power.

“Also, if you are wondering how I am so old or how I can access dreams like this, before you ask, I will answer. I pretty much live as a being in the dreamscape. It’s complicated, but just call it a type of magic. My goal, for thousands of years, has been to keep Vex at bay. Discord is the essence of chaos, what’s left of Vex; and Dark Vex the essence of Evil, which its sole purpose has been for every dark intention imaginable. “

After showing a final image of Dark Vex -- a star-filled cloud of darkness with dim, shining, dark-red eyes -- the screen blinked off.

“So, any questions?” The Wanderer smiled patiently.

Alica blinked. It all finally started to make a little more sense. The one particular vision she had when she met Discord at Twilight's place especially seemed to clear up, at least to a point. Then, she blinked, and started to form a question she felt was fairly important.

“Wait, uh, how am I tied in all of this?”

“Ah, yeah, I probably shouldn’t forget that!” The Wanderer shifted spots in the couch as she got a bit more comfortable. “So basically you were born with a connection to Discord. I can’t tell you everything, because this might be the only way to defeat Dark Vex. If I told you, then Vex would have the upper-hoof… it’s so complicated, it really is. You are just going to have to trust me. You are our last hope, you see.”

Alica looked down for a moment, then back up. “What about my parents? Why did they leave?”

The Wanderer hesitated, but then decided to say it as simple as she could. “They were heroes. They sacrificed themselves to save you."

After a second of silence with Alica taking this in, The Wanderer continued.

"Dark Vex could’ve taken over your body with the connection you have with him. Your parents sacrificed themselves to act as a shield guarding you from The Darkness’ power. Does that make sense?”

Alica looked down once again. She did not know how to respond -- let alone what to think -- hearing this. She thought back to Morning's story, and thought about how sad her parents were to leave them. There was something that Alica remembered.

'But… where are you going?' Morning had said she asked them.

'We will always be here,' Greathoof had responded.

It was not a lie. It was never a lie, Alica realized. This is... this is true. After all this time... every vision... Alica began to think. They were here for me every step of the way. Even when... even when... She thought of her childhood. She thought of the pain she went through for being who she was; she always thought she was alone, not ever having a true friend. She thought of every time that she was pushed around; every time that she was laughed at; and every time that she was lost.

With all of these thoughts flowing together as one, she began to feel a trickle down her cheeks. She smiled; it was of a pure and whole-hearted truth -- that she was not alone...

That she was never alone.

Alica got up, and walked over to the pony who told her this. Without a hesitation, she hugged her in an embrace of absolute appreciation. "Thank you, Wanderer..." The little blue unicorn sniffled after saying this, and let every light emotion come into her existence.

The Wanderer hugged back, beginning to feel some of the same emotions as well. “Oh Alica, I'm just glad to be able to tell you all of this...”

Vinyl sniffled. “Woah…” She resisted the urge to cry as she joined in on the hug. She chuckled slightly. “Heh, this is the most realistic dream I’ve ever had.”

Alica giggled. “Yeah… hopefully we can have another, but have it a little more controlled. It all seemed to go by so fast...”

Vinyl's expression grew befuddled. "What the? ...I thought it was long..."

“Don’t you two worry. It will be more controlled. Vex is taken care of for now. I set up a block while everything was going on, especially with him being distracted by you, Alica. Although, it is up to you that you keep him below. I will be helping where I can, but now that you know of him, you will need to take initiative to protect yourself. Keep believing in yourself. Whatever he might say, don’t listen. He just wants control over Equestria and Discord, and nothing else. The way he does this is by finding connections of dark magic. When a pony gives in to darker emotions... well... that is what he looks for.

"Alica, whatever you do, please try your best to look to the light, especially now. Never let him lure you in. He is pure evil…” The Wanderer said. "I wish I could say there is hope for him, but he is barely even a pony... We are going to have to continue with my plan, which I... I cannot fully explain yet. You will have to wait until the time is right. You will know when."

“I understand.” Alica pulled back from the hug as Vinyl did as well. “So, um, what should we do when we completely wake up? I mean, we are in Star Swirl’s library still…”

The Wanderer smiled. “Just keep researching, that is all I can say for now. Oh! And also, you should really look into getting a totem. It might help you a little bit…. Ok, actually a LOT bit. They are used to help you tell when you are in reality or in the dream. I don’t have one for multiple reasons, but I can say that Vex used to have an ancient coin. It would spin forever in the dream. I recommend you find something of your own. If you have any other questions, talk to Luna. I’ll have her go into a dream of yours soon to finally talk.”

Vinyl sighed and looked around. “So when are we gonna wake up?”

“Wait, weren’t you saying before that you would be okay if we stayed here forever?” Alica asked, confused.

“Eh…” Vinyl shrugged. “I’m getting tired.”

The Wanderer giggled. “Oh trust me, I’ve planned how we are going to get out! Throughout my years, I have developed quite a lot of creative ways…” With that said, she pressed a button on a remote and the screen changed to a scene overlooking Alica and Vinyl lying down in a bed within an empty room. Pinkie was overlooking the two ponies.

It was the higher dream level.

“Close your eyes now,” The Wanderer said, getting up and off of the couch.

As they followed through, they started to feel the sensation of the bed under their body. Their past bodies seemed to fall back as if the couch had tipped backwards.

~     ~     ~

They opened their eyes to find themselves in the empty room. Pinkie started to bounce up and down joyfully. “Oh my gosh! Hi! How was your nap?”

Vinyl started rubbing her head. “Uh…”

“Sounds fun!” Pinkie grinned like never before. "You have no idea how booooring it was up here!"

Vinyl chuckled. "Nah, I do. I waited for Alica in another dream level even below the... uh... dream just now."

Pinkie Pie gasped as her eyes went wider and wider. "So a dream within a dream... within a dream within a... DREAM???"

Vinyl seemed to choke on Pinkie's words.

Just then, the elevator opened, showing The Wanderer. “Through here, guys!”

"OKAY!" Pinkie shouted as she bounced in. Everypony else followed inside as The Wanderer kicked up a lever. It started moving faster and faster upwards. There was a speedometer that Alica then noticed.

Ok, did the speed just double? Alica thought to herself.

Four times as fast, now?

A hundred times as fast?!

Alica couldn’t tell how fast it was now. It kept spinning at an incredible, blurring speed, showing that the acceleration was beyond physically possible. She could no longer stand, and could assume that they broke through the roof quite a while ago.

Are we in space? All she could see was the ground pushing into her face. For all she knew, they were hurtling through deep interstellar territory. Everything shook violently faster.

“Wooooo!” The Wanderer screamed ecstatically as she pressed a button. Alica didn’t care to understand how at this point, she just accepted the dream for what it was. “Hey Aven! Prepare the music!” The Wanderer continued in excitement.

The was a long, excruciating pause. “Huh? Already? Really?” Aven's voice was finally heard through a radio speaker up above, although muffled with the noise the elevator was making as it flew higher and higher upwards.

“Yup! And hurry! I think we're about to reach warp speed!”

After another long, excruciating pause, Alica could hear a very slow-motion track playing in the distance, somewhere.

"Hehehe, the old fashion way..." The Wanderer said to herself, rubbing her hooves together in anticipation. It sounded almost like folk music. Alica started to feel another body of hers. Just then, her vision blacked out with the force of the elevator growing to be too much-

~     ~     ~

-and she woke up in the damp cave, shaking her head in absolute dizziness. Alongside her was Vinyl, who was also way too disoriented for comfort.

Vinyl grunted. “Ugh… I think I’m going to barf.” She paused for a long, agonizing second. “...Hm… nope, I’m good.”

“Hiyo!” The Wanderer walked into the cave completely relaxed.

Pinkie immediately popped up. “Hi!”

Vinyl moaned. "HOW do you two do it?"

"Do what?" Both Pinkie and The Wanderer spoke in unison, looking at each other and then to Vinyl energetically.

In response, Vinyl just rolled over and started mumbling to herself. "I swear, they are two of the same pony..."

Over the next few minutes, not much else was said as they prepared to wake up into Equestria. Alica said that it would be good to make sure they didn’t keep Twilight waiting, so Aven didn’t question them too much on the specifics of the dreams.

With last farewells given to The Wanderer, Alica followed through with Twilight’s instructions to waking up. “Awaken,” she said, and the spell began to undo itself.

Alica started to feel her body up above as the dream started to fade. There was darkness as the world seemed to dissipate to but a memory, and then they felt the warm light surface on their coats as they awoke back into reality.

~     ~     ~

What a dream… Alica thought to herself.

Prelude

There is a story -- forged from a tragedy encompassing entire universes -- written through the acts of a lost soul.

Eternal darkness endured in ubiquitical existence...

Equestria stood, desolate and cold, in an empty and lost universe to many. The world was but a distant, fragile planet among a sea of lonely stars. No redemption was visible for this home of many, not with the ground itself torn to pieces from a magic incomprehensible to most all of ponykind. Canterlot was seen in the far-off distance, tilting from the mountain it was situated from. Ponyville itself was cracked apart into endless ravines, and a dark haze flowed between them with no seeming start nor finish. The moon, once whole, was broken into two halves revolving around an unknown point in the sky. If there was a sun, it never shown. If there was  any true light existent -- anywhere for that matter -- neither was that evident to be found.

This was meant to be a land of friendship. Gallantly, to this universe's luck, a margin of hope remained in the final decisions of three souls.

The first was of a heart of helping. A friend of ancient times had deceived him, and left him with nothing but lost memories. His grey beard swirled in the endless night, making him remember what evil he had once become. Yet, he stood, from the help of his friends, with a new-found color to his coat.

The second was of warmth and of caring. He stood on two legs, and had a great sense of hope for his son, one of ancient times. His expression was grim, but his heart drove his soul with a strength like no other to amend everything that is true.

The third was of an understanding heart, but helpless of the tragic events that have come to her friend. In the ancient times, this pink-coated mare could do nothing, and was forced to wait for a time of which a plan could be decided. The love in her heart was but futile in essence, and all that remained was what clung from distant memory.

“-But…. How do you know she will be able to take the truth? Something like this… it is immoral.” The grey-maned unicorn asked.

“I don’t know. All I can do is hope that she will have hope for herself…. and for us.” The pink pony replied.

“We are practically in another universe, what other choice do we have? I’d do anything for my child.” The two-legged creature added.

“….Well…. okay. As you said, it’s the only way. One way or another, we SHALL save Discord.” With that said, a spell was cast that would change the fate of the universe, create the destiny of a pony, and hope to save a tragedy yet to come. The ground rumbled, the sky spun, and darkness everywhere was saturated with a new light. A new world was remade, and with it came a hope to start anew.

And so, the story shall unfold...

Chapter 2: History Locked in Tragedy

Chapter edited by Outcast98 and Princess Galxi

Chapter 2: History Locked in Tragedy

“It was all a freaking dream?! Everything?! And I was actually with Vinyl… or… had a CHANCE with her!” Alica screamed furiously, after coming to her conclusion. “-And I met with Twilight! Who offered to help me! UGH! And NOW I need to go through that whole club again, as if it wasn’t boring enough in THE DREAM!”

A voice called out from downstairs, “Alica?! What is the matter now?!” Footsteps were heard as she started up the stairs.

“-When that brown pony said something big was coming, HE… WASN’T… KIDDING! A BIG disappointment is what it was alright!” Alica continued her ramble, and as she heard her sister start to open the door, she decided to prepare a pillow to launch in her direction.

As it swung open, the pillow hit the wall seven feet from the door. Morning stared at where it had landed. “Okay, wow, and this time I was expecting it to hit me.”

Alica grumbled, “but I always miss…”

“Well, obviously not yesterday,” said Morning in her defense, chuckling.

“Yeah…. I guess you do have a point… wait, what?!” Alica jumped up in shock for a moment as she started to ponder this new information.

“Remember, it hit me on the horn? We laughed? I do hope that my memory of us laughing was real…” Morning chucked a bit at the memory, but Alica remained to have a shocked expression upon her face.

She started to think out loud, “so if you remembered what you thought was yesterday, then that must mean that what I just thought to be a dream… was…” She thought about it for a bit longer, making sure it was indeed real. She then sequentially blurted out, “OH MY GOSH! Then it wasn’t a dream!”

Morning laughed, and realized why Alica was so upset before.  “Well, even if it was a dream, you should be happy to have one. It is funny how one morning, you get mad for not having dreams, and then the next morning you get mad for having one.”

Alica then blurted out, “nope! It is from waking up that upsets me! …but I guess you’re right, I should look to the bright side. I’m telling you, I really do try!” Alica smiled brightly, and at the same time, felt relieved to find that everything was just as she had thought it to be.

Morning responded, “I believe you, don’t worry. It is hard to fight negative feelings sometimes, but sometimes you might have no choice but to experience it. But hey, at least it makes a pony wiser! …in the end at least.” She smiled sadly at Alica, then, walking over, hugged her tightly.

Startled a bit, Alica still embraced the hug. She’s not normally like this… what’s happening? She thought.

“Um…” Alica started slowly. “Is everything okay, big sis?”

Morning, who had broken from the hug, obviously trying to hide tears, replied. “Oh, y-yes, nothing is wrong.” She smiled sadly again, still having hid something deeper.

Alica decided to break the ice. “What are you hiding?”

Morning, freezing for a moment, answered. “Nothing, or at least… until breakfast. How about I explain everything at the table? I promised you yesterday I would tell you about… well… you know what I mean, so let’s just go down before the food gets cold.”

Alica bounced up. “Oh! Are they your signature Morning Pancakes?! I love those!”

Morning giggled. “Yes indeed! After a night like last night for you, I knew we had to have something special.” Getting up, she headed downstairs with Alica bouncing behind her.

“Yippie! It’s been so long! All of that yummy sticky sauce!”

“Syrup,” Morning corrected.

“Whatever, you get the point!” Alica beamed, squee-ing softly in excitement.

Upon arriving at the table, Alica looked down at the delicious meal ahead of her. Immediately, she sprang into her chair. Morning sat down as well, but not with as much enthusiasm. Then, something came to mind for Alica. “Wait… this will probably drive me crazy if I don’t ask this. How exactly did I get home last night? Last thing I remember, I was working really hard as usual…”

Morning chucked a bit, preparing to take a bite of her meal, but before doing so, she answered quickly, “well, that was probably why you fell asleep. You worked for so many hours...”

Alica responded, “hehe…. I guess you’re right… but that doesn’t really answer my question.”

After finishing chewing, Morning continued. “I was getting to that, I just couldn't resist tasting what I have made.”

Alica, face full of food now, tried to respond again. She only managed to open her mouth and get a piece of mush to fall out onto her plate. She blushed brightly, and simply nodded for Morning to continue.

Morning laughed lightly, and continued on. “Well, back onto what I was saying, the DJ came to the door with you on her back-“

Alica spit out her food in shock of what she had heard. At this point, everything on her plate didn’t at all resemble a pancake. “You mean Vinyl Scratch?! THE DJPon3?!”

Morning replied, “yeah, I think… I’m not too familiar with DJs, but I think that was her name.”

Alica thought shortly about Vinyl carrying her home. As the image came up in her head, she immediately pushed it back from whence it came to hide her blush.  “But… how did she get my address?”

“Maybe the boss? I don’t know, you would have to ask her.” Morning guessed.

Just then a realization hit Alica. “Oh no… The boss is going to be so mad at me…”

“Hey, don’t worry, you cannot change the past. And who knows, maybe this stress all turns out to be all in your head.” Morning took another bite, smiling at Alica, trying to cheer her up.

“Well… I guess you’re right. Heheh, thanks for helping there.” Alica smiled back.

There was silence for a moment as the two ate a bit more. Eventually, Alica began, “so, you said you would talk about…. The thing?”

Morning finished chewing the last of her food, then spoke at last. “That is right… and I have had the time to think.” She looked sadly again to Alica. “Promise me, though, that you will keep looking to the bright side, no matter what you hear.”

Alica thought for a moment, and then responded, “Okay, I promise.”

“I am serious, Alica. Promise from the bottom of your heart,” Morning demanded.

Startled slightly by her tone, Alica said again, nodding, “I promise, from my heart, no matter how bad the truth might be, that I will look to the good side.”

Looking at her intently, Morning finally decided to continue. “Okay, now whatever happens, you will never break that promise… Or at least just try your best. I just hope you try to stay happy, that is all. Sometimes knowing the truth can make it all harder to live than just being oblivious…”

“Yes, but you said before that bad things make ponies wiser,” Alica said happily.

“only if you can pick yourself up. Trust me, you get nowhere until you do something to help yourself… that’s why I made you promise.” Morning smiled sadly once more.

“Right.” Alica smiled encouragingly. “Go on, I’m ready.”

Morning looked down. “Okay, I’m sorry to keep you waiting… it really was for the best, but now is the time you must know. Okay, okay, so it all started all the way back to when I was four years old…”

     -     -

It was a dark night at the Underthought’s house. The rain had stopped, and everypony was fast asleep. A knock had then come to the door, one that would change the fate of the universe itself. A tiny filly sat in a basket as the door opened about a minute after. To the filly in the basket, she saw a beautiful and caring mare, who would have been called 'mother.'

There was a letter; the mare read it aloud to the stallion next to her, who would have been called 'father' to this newborn filly. The letter read, "Dear Starheart and Greathoof Underthought, all tests will show that this newborn, Alica, belongs to you. Take good care of her, for she is yours now. Treat her as a part of the family. Destiny is not to be misled. Sincerely, The Wanderer.”

There was a silence, for no words could come out of the parents’ mouths. A single look of confusion but care stood upon Starheart's face, and a single look of wonder yet acknowledgement stood upon Greathoof’s. Starheart carefully went to pick up the precious basket, and went inside as the night continued forth.

As morning came, Morning came to see this new sister of hers. A connection sat in, and the two sisters were eternally bonded till the end of time.

Time had passed, and over a course of a few years, Alica had one day started to obliviously look around. She saw two wonderful parents, and a beautiful older sister. The front door had opened, and as the tiny filly remained in one of her small beds in the front room, she saw that her mom and dad were talking to a certain pony.

This pony had a curly, pink and purple mane, along with a light-pink coat to compliment it. A strangely-shaped, twisted cube stood upon her flank, symbolizing an unknown destiny. She looked energetic, but yet somehow depressed by a tragedy of the past. She said a few words, and then said her name.  The parents looked at each other and then to the strange pony. They urged her inside quickly.

As this pony walked closer to Alica, she had a wonderful look of hope directed to her. Alica saw her face closely, then, and saw also a face of sorrow, but of loving at the same time nevertheless. A time had come for destiny to be made as she stroked the filly’s mane gently, this ruffled little mane of hers.

The parents then followed the mare into a room, and as Morning asked to come with them, the strange mare shook her head.

The day passed and all was quiet. The strange mare had left, and the mom and dad came to Morning with a feeling of utter desperation to tell her something before bed. Alica was in the same room as her sister, in her main bed wrapped up in her little blankets, half-awake, subconsciously absorbing information.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Morning jumped up onto her parents, who were trying to hide a look of gloom to their faces, simply trying to smile.

“Mommy… Daddy… are you okay? You look sad…” Morning looked up at them, trying to cheer them up by poking their muzzles and beaming happily.

Because of Morning’s silliness, Starheart managed to smile at her little filly without faking, yet still sad. “Morning, dear…” Her voice said quietly, “We’ve got to tell you something…”

Morning looked confused, and simply tilted her head in response.

“Don’t you worry, let’s sit down, okay?” Greathoof asked the little filly, who wasn’t as little as she used to be. She sat down on her bed as her parents came synchronously with her as they talked.

Starheart started. “Things have come up, and we… we might not see you… um… for a while.” Morning listened intently as her mother continued with what she was saying, “listen, please, we… we... l-love you so much.- “

As tears started to form in Starheart’s eyes, Greathoof continued on for her in a strong voice. “Point is, we want you to know that whatever happens, no matter how bad, you must be able to keep going. Your grandma will take care of you in the meantime, but don’t give up, okay?” He looked down at her strictly, and in response, she nodded her head.

Before she could ask any questions, Starheart began again. “Be strong my little filly, like we know you are. And if anything really does happen, take care of Alica. She is our hope to us, so let her be yours. Let her grow, and if you need to, protect her with your life. Please… we…. We love you two so much-“

Greathoof interjected before his wife broke down again. “-And we always will for your whole life.” He smiled down at her, and so did his wife.

No other words were said, and before Morning could ask anything again, Starheart abruptly hugged her. “I wish we could tell you more. Morning, dear Morning, please look to the bright side.” The loving mom hugged her tighter, warming her up more. “And help Alica see it as well, when she grows up more. She has a big future ahead of her…”

They hugged for a while longer, and finally Morning got a chance to speak.

“But… where are you going?”

“We will always be here, just don’t worry about us.” Greathoof responded to his daughter, helping her to feel better. “You and Alica will grow up to be amazing mares, trust me.”

They both got up, as Morning bounced up, hugging them tightly. “Mommy, Daddy, I love you so much. I don’t want you to ever leave me.”

“And neither do we. Stay strong for us. I know you are capable of great things, Morning. Keep your feelings strong.” Greathoof hugged with her and his wife, and when they separated, they walked over to the door.

As Morning got back into bed, the dad smiled, after looking back, and continued out the door. The mom looked at her two fillies, and before she turned off the light, she made sure to say one last thing.

“Please, have the sweetest of dreams.”

She smiled very sadly yet hopeful, and in response, the snuggled-in filly said back, “you too Mommy, goodnight!”

“Goodnight… I love you two so much.-“ Before more tears could come, she turned off the light and started closing the door softly. She looked at her daughters one last time, smiling again, and with a remaining great hope, she clicked close the door.

The next day, all was dead-silent. A few days after that, a funeral was planned for two ponies. One was a caring mother, and the other was a strong father. They had two beautiful fillies left alone with a single grandparent who attended the service with everypony else.

The day after the funeral, all was slow. Alica lied in her bed that night; yet still oblivious to this chain of events, she remained safe from the very feelings Morning was feeling that night. Morning had changed inside, and with that, she had decided to go out into the market to buy something.

After coming back, that very night, Morning came up to little Alica, who was struggling to get to sleep for some reason. On the tiny desk, beside the tiny bed, Morning placed a small brown music box atop it. She wound it up, and as it played, it played the most beautiful yet sad melody to be heard.

It was a feeling of hope.

With that, she told Alica, who was now getting drowsy, “Alie…. Have the… t-the sweetest of dreams.”

She continued to watch her little sister, and with time, she started to get drowsy herself. Refusing to leave her precious sister, she eventually went to the music box, twisting it once more, and curled up on the floor next to her. As she whimpered softly, the music box stopped, and Morning was fast asleep.

Morning came, as the night ended that night. Upon Alica’s flank rested the image of a music box.

Destiny is not to be misled.

-      -     -

At the table, all was silent. Alica’s plate of mush sat cold as she stared silently at it. No tears came, only silence. Then, finishing up, Morning said sadly, “so…. I guess now you know… You have also been wondering what your cutie mark story was too, so there that is too. You were so very young…

Alica remained silent.

“Come on, Alie, you should be at least a bit excited to know your cutie mark story, finally. You have... have been so bouncy to be able to know...”

There was only mere silence as Alica sat, looking downward in deep thought, not knowing what to think.

“…I knew it was a bad idea telling you all this… I am so sorry, Alica.” She, too, looked down at her cold plate, unable to know what to say to cheer her little sister up.

“No,” Alica said abruptly, still looking down.

Morning looked up on the verge of tears. “Wait… huh?...”

Alica then got up to hug Morning tightly, trying to comfort her. “No, no, I’m… I’m happy that you shared this with me, I really am.” She pulled back and smiled weakly at her older sister. “I… I think I understand now… kinda.”

“Huh? Kinda?” Morning asked. “Did I leave something out?”

Frantically, she started thinking, but Alica interrupted, “no, it’s just that I’ve… seen visions of that pink pony you’ve just told me before… the one you described. I just don’t understand who she is… and sometimes… sometimes in my visions it’s like she was trying to speak with me. I just… don’t understand the universe, Morning, why does it have to be this way?! You said too that you don’t know what happened to our parents exactly… and who that pony is. Why is everything so hard to think about….” She looked down, and then back into Morning’s eyes with emotion starting to build up.

Morning then spoke up, gaining back her strength after a second. “Well, I guess that is something we might never know, or may know in time.” She smiled at Alica. “You know, I guess that is what makes life special, not knowing things.”

Alica giggled ever-so-slightly. “Yeah, I guess that’s what, like scientists live for. Remember our old teacher Mr. Light Spark?”

Morning giggled along with her. “I sure do, and I suppose it can also apply to us… that is what he lectured on, after all. I cannot believe I remember it… It was so long ago.”

Alica smiled a little bit more. “Hehe, well, I’m glad we remember. We are really getting deep into all of this… you know, emotions and all. I guess the world is just so mysterious, whether we like it or not… Funny emotions, not going to trick me to being sad this time!”

Slightly, Morning chuckled. “Well… don’t look now, but I think you have a little smile stuck to your face! I don’t think it is coming off anytime soon.”

“Of course not! I love feeling like this! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!” Alica exclaimed proudly.

Morning chuckled again, and said to her, “I love seeing you like this, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world either.”

They both began eating again, and despite how cold it was now, they still enjoyed it. Then, Morning spoke up as they continued. “So… tell me more about this ‘Vinyl’ who carried you home. It was like you two were really good friends or something, the way she held you it seemed.”

“I- Um…. You see-“ She was starting to blush bright-red hot now. “It’s not what you think!” Darn thoughts! She thought, and instinctively, very inappropriate images popped up in her head she’d rather not think about at the table. She blushed even hotter.

Morning laughed slightly, confused. “What? I did not mean anything from it, I was just saying that because not ‘just’ anypony cares to take the time to carry another home simply to help out. That is the sign of a really good friendship, to me.” She ruffled her mane with a hoof playfully, but then stopped and tried to fix it, forgetting still that Alica didn’t like her mane messed with. “Oops… I should probably stop doing that…”

“Eheh… don’t worry…” Alica blushed only slightly, now, having calmed down her blood-rush. Still trying to get the images out of her head, she stuffed her face with the rest of her food.

“Jeez! No need to scarf your food down like that! You are like a dragon gone without food for months!” Morning laughed a bit at how abrupt Alica was at eating.

Alica, in response, tried humming a few inaudible words.

Morning shook her head. “I have no idea what you are saying…”

After a minute, Alica swallowed the last bit of food she had in her mouth. “I was saying, ‘but it’s so good!’ And at least I didn’t talk with my mouth open this time.” She stuck out her tongue in a silly manner.

Morning chuckled. “Okay, sounds okay to me, then.” She continued to eat her food, but obviously was slower than Alica, who was now already done. At that time, Alica got up from her seat and hugged Morning tightly. Morning’s face was wide open about to take another bite of food, seeing her sister abruptly put her hooves around her.

“I love you, Morning. You are the best sister a sister could have.”

She looked to Alica, and hugged back warmly. “Thank-you, and same to you.”

After a minute of hugging, Morning interjected, “um... so I should finish my meal before it gets even soggier from the syrup.”

“Of course, that makes sense.” She pulled away from Morning. As they smiled together, Alica said to her, “I’ll just be in my room. I have… things to think about.”

“Ok, I don’t blame you… It is a lot to hear in one day, what I told you about your past,” Morning said back understandingly.

Replying, Alica waved to her, heading off. “See ya later, I guess!”

“Bye-bye, Alie. And you know that we are still going to be in the same house, right? …well, until I go to work at the marketplace in about three hours.”

“Of course, I’m just saying bye in case I get really caught up in something… or something. Yeah.” Alica justified quickly.

Morning replied, lastly, “okay, then, bye-byes to you.” She smiled brightly, and as did Alica.

“Bye.”

= = =

Falling into her bed, Alica sighed heavily. Too many thoughts were racing through her conscious mind. Her parents, her cutie mark, the strange pony, and pure mystery as all of it was.

I just don’t understand… why… why did my parents leave me? My sister? Having us to go on by ourselves? It could have been that pink mare… but… it’s not like she did anything to them. They already knew something would happen to them, so it must have been something deeper… Alica pondered and pondered evermore until she gave out another sigh. She looked around her room, then out the window by her bed. Outside, she saw many fillies and colts running about, happily playing tag. Oh how much fun they are having without problems… Alica thought as she continued to see the world outside in a different light. I guess sometimes not knowing there are problems in the world can be a good thing, maybe… She turned over, feeling heavy and tired. While she was at it, doing nothing but think, she glanced at her music box, then to her flank. Both look exactly the same… that’s for sure… but what does it mean? She shook her head, unknowing. I don’t… I don’t understand…

As she felt her eye-lids drooping, she felt an urge to wind up the music box to hear that beautiful tune again. As she did so, she let the melody put her into a trance, soothing every muscle in her body. The world started to fade, and with that, Alica thought to herself, I… I want to dream. She could feel her consciousness starting to slip away. Please… I just… just want to be asleep to… wake up. Flashes of color filled her vision as a sleep cycle was starting with her body so suddenly relaxing. She knew she would soon be forced unconscious, as usual. Somehow, it seemed that she was already asleep, with all of the events of the day and how tired she was in the first place.

Mommy… D-Daddy… maybe I can see you in my dreams… I… I KNOW it must be possible…. Somehow… I-I know it… Her thoughts centered on them, and them alone before falling asleep. Their beautiful faces looked at her lovingly. I… I just want to say… I love you.

For that split second before she fell unconscious, she saw the smiles of her parents. They would have been proud to see how much she’s grown. More-over, they would have wished to say 'I love you' back to her with twice as much love just then, with the deepest sincere in their hearts.

~     ~     ~

Alica stood in a field of grass, seeing fillies dancing around her playing some abstract game by whacking a little rock around with sticks. There were mountains trailing high in the distance, and to the opposite side, there was an ocean expanding out endlessly. The white, puffy clouds opened up, and from up above, there was an endless space. So many stars stood out there, in so many colors, and perhaps even so many different worlds never to be seen by many. Infinity remained large, appearing everywhere in every direction, expanding the idea of reality itself continuously.

Just then, the stars started to align, and Alica looked down to where the fillies once were. There were none. It was dark, despite it being light a minute ago, yet she could still see clearly. Instantly, the clouds of the stars spiraled downward, and eventually engulfed Alica.

It brought her higher into the sky, and thus, higher into the endless space. The clouds warmed her body as she ascended, despite how bitter and freezing everything should have been this high up.

She started to twist upside-down, and looked up to see the ground from another perspective. Below her, she saw the clouds open up onto a flat surface of fluffy, white material. Closing her eyes, now, she continued to float down towards it, upward into the sky. Once her hooves planted firmly on the soft surface, she took in further detail of her surroundings. The distant landscape above panned out of sight, giving a magnificent view of the mountains and horizon. The clouds stretched out onto the horizon as well, seeming to shine a bright white light along in the distance and beneath her. Only one thing stood out, for there was a big red button on a pedestal a few ten yards away.

Looking around subconsciously to see if anypony was in sight, she proceeded to the button. With not a single soul in her range of view, she quickly thought on whether or not to press it. Deciding to not let it remain a mystery on what it does, she pressed hard down on it, closing her eyes.

Nothing happened.

She opened her eyes and looked down at this button, and then around her once more. “Well… that was anticlimactic-“ A pink face scrolled right into her vision. “-Ah!” Immediately, Alica jumped back in surprise. “Who are you? Nopony was around here, how di-“ Just then, she got a closer look at her. “Wait a minute….” She looked back at Alica, the pink pony, sticking out her tongue out of silliness. “Wait a minute…” Alica said once more. “You… can’t be… are you?”

“Assuming you mean The Wanderer? Why yup! You’ve caught me!” She said brightly, still waiting for Alica to let things settle in.

“But… you-… It just can’t be…” She decided to sit down to do a reality check. Like it’s going to work… Nothing happened, as usual, but then she realized something. She was sitting on a cloud, which could only mean one of two things. One: that she was using a spell to walk on clouds. Or two: that this was something else… She then looked up at the ridiculous expanse above of her.

It was surely the latter conclusion that was to be made.

“So, whatcha thinkin’?” The pink pony with the pink and purple-streaked mane asked.

“I’m… I’m…” Alica looked to her, beaming the brightest she’s ever beamed before. She could feel the beautiful feeling around her, in another world, at last. “-I’M DREAMING!”