Dreams Do Come True

A/N: This chapter contains some characters from the season 2 finale of MLP:FiM. You have been warned. May also contain slight nonsensical OC-m6 shipping. My co author was having a little too much fun with this chapter.

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Twilight stood there, mouth agape.

“Well, Twilight Sparkle, will you accept Trixie’s friendship?”

“yes...yes I will.” Twilight said, offering a hoof. After they shook, Trixie was instructing star on some o the finer points of using magic, and Twilight noticed he was getting sleepy.

“Trixie, I think we better go. I think Star is getting tired.” Twilight said, pulling Trixie’s attention away from the young colt.

“Very Well, Twilight Sparkle. You can take leave of the Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Thank you for your help, Trixie. Maybe we will see you in ponyville sometime.” Twilight said as She and Shadow left.
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“Twilight, Star can barely stand, we should probably carry him the rest of the way to your parents’ house. I’ll take him the rest of the way.” Shadow said, gently lifting the young colt in his red magic aura.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” Twilight said, stifling a yawn.

“Looks like you could use a nap too, Miss Twilight.” Shadow said, chuckling.

“Shush!” Twilight hissed, embarrassed. Come to think of it, she’d barely slept more than a couple hours on the train. With Star’s nightmare and the ensuing chaos of calming him down and getting him back to sleep, then packing for the trip to canterlot, she’d had next to no sleep the night before.

Shadow was accustomed to being up all night, so he was unfazed. Probably a side effect from his Earth job. As the trio walked through the dusky streets of canterlot, they came to a modest home, not too big or small, painted purple and blue. Twilight immediately seemed to be filled with energy. They had finally arrived at her parents’ home.

Twilight knocked quietly on her parents’ front door. Her father, Night Light, answered.

“Twily, how nice to see you dear.” He said, greeting her with a smile and a hug. Just then, he noticed the strapping young stallion standing next to her, and a wide grin spread across his muzzle. “And who’s this young lad? Your coltfriend? And a foal! How lovely!” Night Light said, greeting Shadow.

“He’s NOT my coltfriend, daddy.” Twilight said, flustered and blushing. “and that’s NOT my foal. I’m babysitting him for a friend. May we come in?”

“Certainly dear, certainly. It is getting rather dark out, innit?” He said as he allowed the trio to pass the threshold.

Twilight was greeted by several staring faces. Namely, her mother Twilight Velvet, her big brother, Shining Armor, and his newlywed wife, Princess Cadence.Each of the looks plastered across their faces were as different as night and day, for they heard the commotion that Night Light had made at the door.

Shining Armor was staring down Shadow, with an expression somewhere between cold analytics and shock. It was the same
stare Shadow had often gotten from other humans when he was dating their sisters or other close friends and relatives.
Cadence was looking back and forth between Twilight, Shadow, and the sleeping Star, wondering why they were toting around Celestia’s foal at this time of night. She decided to ask Twilight about it later, in private.Twilight Velvet was beaming at her daughter, happy that she had finally found a coltfriend.
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Before things could go any further, Twilight explained that Shadow was not her coltfriend, and the foal was not hers, just as she explained to her father moments previously. After that had settled, they were invited to have some tea and cake. Twilight took Star up to her old bedroom, and nestled him into her bed, then trotted back downstairs.Shadow and Shining Armor were adamantly talking about swords and their history, as Cadence and Twilight Velvet

were going on about some book they had recently just read. Night Light was sitting at the table also, poring over the evening edition of the Canterlot Daily Newspaper, reading some article about the results of some “Young Stallions” contest last month. For all intenst anr purposes, it was a pretty typical, cliché type of setting. Twilight set down next to her mother, and poured herself some tea, listening to her mother and Cadence.

Twilight and Shadow explained they were in town, taking Star to see Trixie’s magic show at the theater. “I decided it may be a good time to visit since I don’t get out here all that often, what with my studies on friendship and magic. Shadow just came along because he was bored.”

“No, I came along to help you make sure you got tickets for the show because Trixie used to hate you. Also,the donuts here are the best.” Shadow said, upset that Twilight made him sound like some sort of pathetic tag-along. He then went back to his cookies and conversation with Shining Armor.

Twilight Velvet giggled. “You two sound like me and Night Light before we got married.” Twilight Sparkle heard this and blushed quite profusely, thanking Celestia shadow didn’t see it. He was just like Spike and would pick on her about it. Then she might be forced to hit him with something heavy. Like a book, or that stone statue on the library table back home.
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“Armor, how about some swordplay drills while dusk is still on our side?” Shadow asked the young guard.

“You sure you wanna take me on, Shadow?” Shining Armor said, a smile creeping across his muzzle.

“Challenge accepted.” Shadow followed Shining armor into the backyard, Armor levitating two crude wooden swords.

“Challenger first.” Armor said, flicking the wooden sword Shadow’s way. Shadow caught it midair in his red aura, surprising himself and Shining.

“You’re quick, but let see how much quicker you can get!” Armor lunged at Shadow, going for a thrust that was easily deflected by Shadow. The two went back and forth, exchanging hits, which attracted a small crowd. They saw this and decided to make a show out of it, especially for the young colts that were present.
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Meanwhile, Twilight, Velvet, and Cadence were talking at the table about nothing in particular.

“Twilight, may I speak to you privately?” Cadence asked Twilight, motioning towards the front room.

“Sure, Princess- I mean, Cadence.” Twilight knew better than to be formal with Cadence.They went out to the sitting room, Leaving Velvet and Night Light to the kitchen. Cadence sat across the room from Twilight.

“Twilight, why do you have Prince Star with you and that strange young stallion? Why is he not home with Aunt Celestia and Luna? Are they OK?” Cadence began, quickly regaining her rambling string of questions.

“Cadence, the Princesses are fine. I’ve been given a very important task, along with Shadow, the ‘strange young stallion’ as you put it. Shadow is Star’s personal guardian, and I’m training Star to better control his magical powers. He’s scary strong, Cadence.” Twilight said, a hint of worry in her voice. “I hope I can help him before it’s too late. It wouldn’t surprise me if his magic ripped him apart.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great, Twilight. No one’s better at magic than you. You were gifted since you were little. Since I can remember, anyway.” Cadence said, reassuring Twilight.

“I suppose you’re right, Cadence.” Twilight said, smiling slightly.

…

“Why is Shadow not your coltfriend, again?” Cadence asked her, a smile creeping along her muzzle. She’d been waiting all night to pick on Twilight about Shadow.

“What? why would you ask me that?” Twilight said, getting flustered again.

“Cuz I wanna know, Twinklebutt” Cadence said, poking Twilight in her ribs. “He’s obviously a strong, attractive, well built stallion. I’m sure many of the mares back home want him, too. But you can easily make him yours if you learn how to work your feminine charms on him. He doesn’t seem to be very smart. OR if he is, he hides it well. Why not ask him on a date?” Cadence finished, a sly smile plastered across her muzzle.

“Because he doesn’t read, isn’t very smart, and even though he’s polite, that will only get him so far.” Twilight said with a huff.

“How do you know he’s not smart? Or doesn’t read? Have you ever talked to the stallion without getting into a topic about Star or some smartypants gobbledygook?” Cadence asked her, pressing harder at her buttons.

“Well no, not really. He keeps to himself mostly. He helps Fluttershy and Applejack out a lot, too. So he’s always busy. I don’t even think-“

Cadence cut her off with a tsk-tsk noise. “Twilight, you have a lot to learn about being a young mare. You see him helping Fluttershy and Applejack a lot, so perhaps he’s trying to make moves on them? And how many days do you have left here in canterlot? One, maybe two? Now’s your chance to get to know him better. Just leave Shooting Star here for the night. Armor and I will protect him with our lives. And you couldn’t possibly wake a sleeping colt could you? That’s just mean.” Cadence said, satisfied she made her point.

“I suppose you’re right, but I have no bits on me. I bought round trip tickets.” Cadence levitated a small bag in front of
her.

“This should cover one or two hotel rooms, supper, and after-dinner drinks.” Cadence said, the shy smile creeping back to her muzzle. “Now you have no excuses.”

Twilight frowned and accepted the jingling bag. “You win this time, Cadence.” Groaning, Twilight left the sitting room, with a very pleased-looking Princess Cadence following her.
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Shadow and Shining Armor had ‘fought’ their way to exhaustion. They were sweaty, dirty, and covered in who knows what. But they didn’t care. They were having too much fun trying to gain the upper hand on one another. Shining Armor had a feeling Shadow couldn’t use very much magic, as he mostly relied on holding his sword in his mouth, but he was amazingly agile for a stallion his size. He must have had some previous training or had been born to fight, either way, Shining Armor
could use more ponies like him.

The two new friends were cleaning up as best they could in the flowing-water pond that was erected in the backyard. Taking deep draughts of the crisp, clear water, they were discussing what had just transpired.
“Armor, I had no idea magic could be used so deftly, especially levitating things. I can barely manage that myself.”

“All it is, is practice, Shadow” Shining Armor said, after Shadow extricated his head from the pond, water streaming down his muzzle.

“I didn’t get a lot of practice.” Shadow said sheepishly, once again nearly being called out on being a former human.”I was born on a farm way to the east, to earth pony parents. We all know pony genetics are weird.” Shadow said, avoiding directly answering why he stunk at magic.

“I suppose that’s true” Shining Armor said. “Weren’t there other unicorns back home you could learn from? I’m sure you weren’t the only one.”

Now Shadow was worried. He hadn’t thought his being here in equestria would be so difficult.“No, I wasn’t. But nopony could ever really teach me. I was a late bloomer.”

“That explains why you rely mostly on physical prowess.” Shining Armor said, matter-of-factly. Now he was caught. Shadow really hoped Armor didn’t notice that, but he did.

“Shadow, where in Celestia’s name are you?” Twilight yelled from the back door.

“Saved by Twilight” Shadow thought to himself as he trotted off, giving Shining Armor a farewell salute.

“Over here, Miss Sparkle.” Shadow trotted up to her, noticing she seemed nervous about something. “What do you need? Is it time to go?”

Twilight mumbled incoherently. “What was that, Miss Twilight? I didn’t quite understand.”

“Would you like to go on a da- I mean, go out to eat?” Twilight said, a hint of despair in her voice.

“Sure, let me go get Star.” Shadow said, trotting towards the humble house.

“NO! I mean, let him sleep.” Twilight said, composing herself.

“You mean a date?” Shadow said, half-assed, as if he didn’t believe what he heard.

“NO, it’s not a date, you big red dummy. We’re just a pair of friends, going out to eat, and getting to know each other a little bit. Not a date.” Twilight refused to admit she was going on a date.

“Yeah, I guess not a date then.” Shadow said jokingly. “Even though it sounds like one.”At this, Twilight decided to give him a swift kick towards his stallionhood. With a squeak and groan, Shadow simply said “not a date” His eyes going temporarily in either direction of his muzzle.

“Let’s go, you big red baby.” Twilight said, laughing to herself. Shadow walked behind her, out of range of her rear hooves.
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When they arrived at the modest café that Twilight always ate at, Shadow’s stallionhood had mostly recovered. They had sat at a table near the back of the café, this area was lit only with candles on the tables, and on the walls. After they ordered, awkward silence had set in.

“So, Shadow, do you read at all?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, a little bit, at least back on earth anyway. Lots of books about science and the history of foreign countries. I also like thriller and mystery books.”

“Really? Science? I love science!” Twilight said, visibly excited. “What’s your favorite science subject?”

“I really like archeology and geology, and stuff about unknown species.” Shadow said, unsure of how he should react to Twilight.

“Fascinating! I love all types of science!” Twilight said, relaxing a little bit now that they shared some common ground.
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It was late and Night Lighte had retreated to bed with Twilight velvet in tow. Cadence and Shining Armor were in the living room, listening to the latest DJ mixes from Manehatten. A ponyvillian DJ had been featured that night, and went by the name of DJ Pon-3. The DJ was incredibly good at her music, especially something called “dubstep”, which the pair enjoyed. So far, Shooting Star was sleeping soundly, while the newlyweds cuddled on the couch. They’d been given the guest room for the night, but weren’t tired yet. They were discussing Shadow and Twilight, and how cute they’d be together.

“I’d really like to have Shadow join my guards. A unicorn with that much physical prowess is hard to come by. Most of them couldn’t even get close to me while I was training with them. But Shadow was going hit for hit. I actually enjoyed myself, honey.” Shining Armor said excitedly. “Do you think he’d accept an invitation?” Armor questioned.

“I couldn’t say for sure, love. He seems like a very respectful, upstanding pony. He’s perfect for Twilight.” Cadence snickered. “You should have seen how embarrassed she got when I asked her about him” A whimsical look played across her face.

“Really now? Close to the time I found her playing in mom’s gala clothes?” Shining Armor laughed. He remembered little Twilight running around the house while their parents were out, singing at the top of her lungs “at the gala, the gala” It took him forever to repair and clean that dress. But she was so cute, he couldn’t resist letting her play.“So, do you know where those two went off to? They’ve been gone for a while. I thought they were going to dinner and coming right back. It’s unlike Twilight to waste time like this.” Shining armor commented nonchalantly.

Cadence smiled to herself. She really knew what was going on and wasn’t going to tell him if she could help it. “I’m sure the restaurant is just busy. It is a Saturday night after all. And most of the young ponies from the colleges are probably out and about.”

“I suppose your right. I hope they get back soon. Canterlot isn’t as safe at night as you’d think.” Shining Armor chimed in, a note of seriousness in his voice.

“They’re fine, you big worrypony.” Cadence cuddled up to Armor and nuxxled him, then gave him a quick kiss. “Shadow is a strong pony, like you said. I doubt he would let Twilight get hurt.”

Just then, they heard screaming and crying coming from Twilight’s room. Remebering Star was sleeping in that room, the pair charged up the steps, just as the parents were coming out of their bedroom. They all ran to Twilight’s room, flicking open the door with three distinct bursts of magic. Star was rolling around and crying in Twilight’s bed, a visible grimace of fear and pain on his face.

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Damian found himself walking around his hometown. It was a dark night, with no moon to be found. He walked across an intersection in the road, when a car came speeding from around the corner, clipping him. The last thing he felt was a bump, and then immense, blinding pain in his right leg. When he looked at it, the shin bone was sticking out, in all its white and red glory. He was alone in the intersection, with no cell phone or contact of any sort. Even the car that had hit him was gone. He

was too thirsty to yell, so he scooted inch by inch out of the road and next to a garbage can, lifting himself up. Hopping on one leg and nearly falling several times, he finally found a 2x4 piece of wood, and used it to prop himself up. Biting down hard on his shirt, he moved foot by foot up two blocks to a hospital, where he was checked in and got his leg splinted up the

next morning. Only Jason came to visit him, and only Jason took him home. His parents pretended to care, but he knew they didn’t. He was never wanted in the first place. So he spent the next 8 weeks in his room, cooping himself up like some rabid dog. It was this time in his life that he had found My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.”
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Star woke up, still crying. He was surrounded by strange ponies, except for cousin Cadence. He immediately ran to her, burying himself in her arms as she picked him up and held him.“Shh, shh, it’s okay, Star.” Cadence said. “You’re ok, it was only a nightmare. All a bad dream. There there, you’re ok little one.” She cuddled him closer, lying down on Twilight’s bed with him. He buried himself next to her, in the blankets, still sobbing.

“Cadence, I was so scared” He mumbled, half asleep. “There was a big metal monster, and it hit something that was walking. It was dark and I couldn’t see the thing’s face. It wasn’t a pony. But it was hurt, crying and screaming, And I wanted to help him feel better, So I cried with him. I think he was aved by other things like him” Star finished, his eyes still red, but much more calm now. “Cadence, can you stay up here with me? I’m still scared.”

“Sure I can, baby cousin. I’d love to.” Cadence pulled blankets over them both, holding Star. “go to sleep, little one.”
The rest of the family had left the room, closing Twilight’s door as they left.
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Shadow and Twilight had a wonderful night. While they waited for their meals, they talked about all sorts of subjects. Twilight was surprised that Shadow knew so much about history, and even though there was no way to get to Earth she

enjoyed hearing about it. She learned that Shadow used to build houses for other people, as a charity project. He was a genuinely kind soul, which explained why he fit in so well in equestrian life.Shadow was surprised he was on equal footing with Twilight. She really was a smart pony, but somewhat introverted, like

himself. He enjoyed her company, which was always a bonus. They ate and conversed, and then set off for one of the nicer taverns here in Canterlot. They had a couple rounds, and Shadow found out what exactly was so special about cider here in equestria.

They drank just enough to feel good, and made their way to a hotel not far from Twilight’s old home. Being the gentlecolt he was, Shadow rented a room down the hall from Twilight, after making sure she didn’t fall asleep in the lobby. Shadow then proceeded to his room, and passed out not long after laying down.
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Back at the small house, the assembled family members were sitting in the living room, wondering about Star’s extremely vivid nightmare. Cadence explained what she had been told by Star, but nopony could make heads or tails of it. Twilight and

Shadow had not come back that night, which also made the atmosphere a bit tense. While it had been established that there wasn’t room for them, they were supposed to report back before going to their hotel, for safety reasons of course.

Cadence explained to her in-laws about the young colt that had been left in Twilight’s room. They understood completely and had decided they would love to have him come stay again. While Star was sleeping soundly once again, those assembled retreated to their respective rooms, happy that Star was finally alright.

The next morning, Twilight and Shadow returned to the domicile. They were told about Star’s dream, and Twilight once again made a document for reference. It would be really difficult for her to explain to the other four ponies, so she was ecstatic that they did not ask.
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(A/N) This is by far our longest chapter yet, and took me and Southpawfighter614 almost four hours consecutively to complete. There’s some humor, some sadness, and even some light shipping. We hope you all enjoy this as much as we enjoyed writing it. Southpawfighter614 may make a side chapter concerning Shadow and Twilight, and maybe some others of the mane six. If you’d like to read that, send him a PM or leave us a comment on this chapter. He checks our comments almost daily (being the weird stalker-editor he is), so make your love (or hate for Southpaw’s shameless plug) known!! I promise he’s really a good guy. Also, we don’t mind advice, as long as it’s constructive. (trolls will be shot, surviving trolls will be shot again.) If trolls survive the second shot, we sic princess molestia on them. Mehehehe. >:D