Dreams, are a wonderful thing aren't they ? They can show visions of the future, or fragments of the past. You could control worlds, be rich as royalty, or go places you never dreamed were possible. You could fly over vast green hills and sail the mighty sea's, slay dragons and undead hordes , all with out taking a scratch. Dreams can also become twisted copy's of reality, sometimes they force you to witness heinous acts without your control. You be could a dealer of death, or watch your loved ones die before you, or see things you would not dare discuss even to your most closest friend.
Yes, nightmares can be devastating, Imagine that because of you, because of a dumb accident somepony lost their life. Imagine the guilt, imagine the pain that your friends now bare. You tell yourself it wasn't your fault, that you couldn't stop the cable that broke your friends spine. But deep down you know, that because of your ineptitude, a body now rots in the ground.
That is the reality Twilight Sparkle now faces, and every second she wishes that she was dreaming. As a crowd of black suits and dresses part, she was left alone next to a coffin. Tears well in her eyes and no words came to her mind. The red faces Of Dash, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack starring deep into her. She tastes vomit in the back of her throat and rests a trembling hoof on the auburn wood. The card with her parting words that she had spent hours writing sits crunched and tear-soaked in her pocket.
The elder said the finale goodbye and the crowed got up to leave. Twilight wishes that her friends would just let her be, but then she would be selfish. They all laid a hoof on the rim of the open casket. Fluttershy never seemed so peaceful, she was dressed in the finest dress Rarity could sow, it was green with cream trimmings with white and pink tulips were gently placed around her body.
It was strange seeing her friend like this, so still when she looked so alive. Her lips were placed into a gentle smile, but that's not what she looked like when she died. Each of her friends took a moment to say their goodbyes, each harder to watch than the last. When they were gone and before the workers placed her into the ground, Twilight laid a kiss upon Fluttershy's forehead. She stayed and watched them as they placed her into the ground and sealed her tomb.
The trot home was difficult. Twilight could see the faces of the citizens of Ponyville take pity on her as she passed. This whole week had seemed like one long, gut wrenching nightmare. Twilight remembered the sound that Fluttershy made as the cable lashed out at her, it made her cringe even now. She lazily opened the door to her home and trotted in. Spike didn't look at her, he only starred at the wall.
Twilight peeled off her dress and curled up in her bed. She debated to herself weather she was dreaming or this was really real. She didn't feel sadness exactly, it was more like a deep, twisting ocean of confusion. Twilight tried closing her eyes but found that she was too scared to do so. If she slept, would she wake ? And what about the nightmares ? She wasn't strong enough to tackle them right now, she would be consumed by fear.
So she decided to stay awake, even if it means sleep withdrawal. She silently crept onto her roof and watched the moon as it hung in the sky. Despite her feelings she couldn't stop herself from thinking about when the cable that snapped Fluttershy's neck. It was a cool summer morning, she just ordered book shelve set and It was held high over her home and suspended the cables.
Twilight had been cataloging what new books she was getting that morning. She soon became twisted around when she had mixed up the new shipment with the books she had. Fluttershy had been helping her put the books in alphabetical order when one of the cables became frayed. Twilight thought she could stop it before it snapped and lashed out , but she was too slow...
Strange, that in one instant everything you knew suddenly became warped. Somepony who was trotting and talking just moments before suddenly stopping. She didn't even know it was coming, and just like that... Gone. Rage soon built inside herself as she thought of all the 'possible' ways she could of saved her. As she pondered a star streaked the sky and arched to where Fluttershy was.
Twilight took a deep sigh and nuzzled her snout into her lap. What to do now... Wait ? She didn't know how the others would get over this, if they were even going to. Her heart pounded as she sat and her hooves begged to be stretched. Twilight wiped the hot tears from her eyes and proceeded back into her home. She quietly slide threw her home in a mute fashion, best not to wake Spike.
The rhythm of her heart thumped in her mind as she searched around in her chest. Finally, a shovel... She didn't know what she was going to do with it, but better take it just to be safe. Twilight softly closed the door behind her and trotted towards the hill where her friend now lay. The feeling of loneliness really set in when she saw that the bustling streets of Ponyville were dead silent.
Twilight neared the hill with her heart jumpy and her hooves trembling. Her eyes sagged for she had not slept well in the days past, all she could think of was Fluttershy. Now she stood alone on the hill, gnashing her teeth with hot unease. She stuck the tip of the shovel in the soft dirt and stood there. As she pushed it deeper in the soil, and stopped when she became aware of her actions.
Overcome with grief and anger she threw the shovel away and saw it tumble down the hillside. She fell to the ground and crawled to Fluttershy's head stone. It was made of limestone and had fresh roses circled around it. Twilight curled herself around it and held it tight. If only this was a dream ! If only if she could rewind time. Only if she was killed...
She sat there for what must of been hours of crying, and remembering the old times when her friends laughed together. She had talked to the head stone and she felt strangely better. If this was reality she could never forgive herself, but this dulled the pain just a bit. She didn't know if she'll ever get better, or that she'll ever forgive herself. But this was a start...
2 Daily Court
==============
Canterlot : a city of gold and white sprawling towers nestled high on a grand waterfall. It is a city of the rich and privileged, normal worries mean nothing here. Ponies here eat the finest cuisines, wear the finest silks, and all have bits to rub together. Celestia: the princess of Equestria rules here, and all are happy to obey her. But yet even here, where the sun shins high, there are still...troubles.
In the royal palace the princess sits, passing judgement on the citizens of her land. By her side is a loyal Knight and Jester stand, and around them are the heads of various noble houses. A soft murmuring is heard throughout the great hall. Celestia turns to the Knight, who glitters in his silver armor, and gives her a nod of good faith. And the Jester, who sits idle plays a tune his mask pressed tightly on his snout.
The day continues and the princess hears the pleas of her subjects, all from poor farmers worrying about winter, to pesky nobles battling for family inheritance. Celestia rests her head on her hoof as the day slowly eats away at her energy. The Jester, who sees this decides to make his ruler happy by playing a tune from his youth.
The Jester slides onto the carpet and brings out his lute. The princess perks her ears and the crowed of ponies stopped to watch the show. He danced and sang, and behind his mask his lips curled into a smile as he saw the Knight shift uncomfortably in place. He sang of a small filly that went into the woods against her mothers will. The woods were dark and was layered in a blanket of heavy mist.
The filly soon grew tired of her playing and decided to go back home, but when she tried the way back was gone, covered by brush. She frantically searched for hours, only when night was upon her did she realize why her mother warned her. As the fire that the filly had made started to die, she felt a faint breathing on the back of her neck.
Once the Jester was done he drew back on his chair and softly slept. The court burned with intrigue, and the Knight scoffed at the tale. Just as Celestia was about to ask the Jester about the story, the doors tot he place were thrown open. Two guards brought out a dirty servant filly. They placed her in front of the princess and drew back. Out of the corner of his visor, the Knight could see the Jester turn his head to the little one.
'' Princess, we bring you a thief. She has stolen a dagger from the armory. '' The guard said.
The princess drew herself from her throne and trotted out to the filly. The knight saw that the Jester nervously starred at the filly, as if he knew her.
'' Why have you done this ? And my you look half starved ! '' Celestia asked. The filly remained silent.
'' him... '' She said, too quiet for Celestia to hear.
'' Well, we should convene later, you and I. But for now guards take to the kitchen and get her some food to eat. ''
'' Wait ! Your highness, may I take her ? '' Said the Knight.
The princess allowed it and the Knight in silver took the filly away. More awakened Celestia sat back upon her throne. The crowed went back to their gossip and the Jester was left alone by the princess's side. As the day went on the Jester became more and more anxious, his hooves couldn't hold the lute right anymore. To calm his nerves he went for a bottle of wine he had gotten from the kitchen, and then stopped as the doors swung open again.
The guards dragged in another servant filly, younger then the other one. She thrashed and tried biting the guards but they overpowered her. The jester's heart nearly skipped a beat when he saw the tiny filly's black eye.
'' Forgive us your highness but this simply needs your attention. This filly, has poisoned the vintage wine collection. '' Said the guard.
'' ( gasp ) !?! Is anypony sick ? '' Celestia asked.
'' No, only one bottle has been taken. ''
The jester rose to his hooves and smacked the bottle of wine of the cart. With a cold sweat running down his cheeks and his anger boiling he trotted towards the guards, leaving his lute behind.
'' See my liege, this servant plans to kill us, maybe that wine was planned for you- ''
'' ( spits in Jester's face ) He's a lair ! Iv'e seen what he does with the servant filly's ! Iv'e seen the skeletons in your closet ! ''
'' Silence ! Princess you can not listen to this peasant filly, she has no proof. So may we taker her to the dungeons ? '' The Jester said, starring down the filly with daggers in his eyes.
The princess starred at the angry jester with burning confusion in her eyes, the fool couldn't do something so evil ? The great hall was a burst with hushed tones and and worried stammering. Celestia pondered deeply the situation, the filly must of been lying...
'' Stop ! '' Called the Knight with the first filly on his back, and a row of guards behind him.
'' Go away Knight ! you have no business here ! '' barked the Jester.
'' Silence fool, what these filly's claim are the whole truth. I found these in the Jesters closet ( throws bag of filly bones in front of Celestia ), he has been preforming black magic ...''
'' No ! The Knight is lying mad'am ''
'' Guards arrest this monster ! '' Celestia finally answered.
The guards dragged the poor Jester away, all the time he kicked, pleaded, and screamed. Horrified, Celestia brought the two filly's closer to her and lowed her head. After a moment of silence the princess looked towards the chivalrous Knight and asked,
'' What shall we do with him ? '' She asked. The Knight took a moment to answer. After he removed his helmet and looked to the bag , then did he give an answer,
'' Hang the serpent... ''
As the gallows swung loosely in the air, the Jester did not frown. His goals were noble he knew, he just wanted to hold his sister again.But as they tied his neck to the noose, he sang his finale verse...
'' Sister may I take the tulips, down by the river,
May I see them float, around your grave,
Oh sister, now I can hear them washing away... ''
