The Dream Walkers

Darkness surrounded Crystal, she laid silently as she heard the harsh wind beat against the small rooftop window. A flash a lightning spooked her and she charged out of her bed in seconds. Her heart pounding in her chest she looked over at her sleeping sister. Best not to wake her she thought Moonlight gem is a very grumpy pony if woken. Crystal Light made her way down the long steps from the attic where her and her younger sister Moonlight slept. Crystal slowly made it down to the kitchen where she grabbed herself a glass of milk. She sat at the table, gazing at the family portrait that hung over the fireplace in the living room. It reminded her of when mom was around, the glory days or so she called it. Her mother was a unicorn like her and Moonlight, Their father was a hard working earth pony with many different jobs just to keep themselves alive after mom left with most of the cash they had. Crystal didn't hate her mother for leaving she understood why she did leave, father was a horrible stallion a greedy one at that. He constantly complained about the country life and always hit Mom in some way. Crystal wanted a good image of her mother so she hated her father, so much she couldn't look into his eyes which were exactly like hers. Crystal gazed a bit longer before she heard hoof steps coming down the stairs, a small dark blue mare stepped into the light of the kitchen. Crystal stared at her for a second before smiling, “ you couldn't sleep could ya.” Moonlight nodded her head and Crystal made room for her on the bench. Moonlight graciously hopped next to Crystal, “ you want me to make ya a sandwich,” Moonlight nodded once more as Crystal got up and took out the bread.

“Your growing to old for me to take care of ya sis, I know you're only a filly but you need to at least speak to me.” Crystal took out the jar of peanut butter and spread it on two slices of bread, Moonlight gulped nervously, “The thunder scared me.” Crystal smiled at her sister, finishing the sandwiches she handed one to Moonlight. Moonlight took it and wolfed it down in a flash. Crystal ate hers as she watched her sister gaze up at the portrait. “Why did mama have to leave Crystal?” Crystal hesitated at first, she got up off the bench and placed the dirty dishes in the sink. “She left because daddy wasn't a good stallion. He didn't love her like we did and it stayed that way for years.” She looked into her sister’s emerald eyes, they were her mother’s eyes. Every time Crystal looked at them she saw her mom and not her little sister. “Daddy is not a bad man Crystal,” her eyes filled with tears, “he just didn't love mommy the way we did. I hate her for leaving us.” Crystal shot up a stared into Moonlight’s eyes, “Do you know where you got those eyes Moonlight? You got them from mom and only her. Don’t you ever say that ever again you hear me? Never again. Moonlight Gem so help me if ya do, I will make sure you don’t forget her.” Her face got red, her body filled with anger, her innocent little sister saying she hated her own mother. Crystal looked up at the staircase and saw another shadowy figure descending. This time she would regret what she had said.

Crystal’s father stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his fiery red eyes glued on Crystal Light and nothing else. Moonlight hid behind the tall massive stallion as her only known defense. Crystal stood defenseless, her body shaking with fear as she stared into his bloodshot eyes. For once in her life Crystal thought she could curse him or something. Her horn glowed a sickly green, she was ready to strike at him with a crystal curse. (a curse that would slowly turn you into a crystal statue, that was only temporary of course.) Crystal had studied magic years before and it was her special talent, well crystal magic was her special talent. Her father took a step back and held up his hoof and reached it out gently to reach the tip of her horn. Crystal stopped her horn and lowered her head in submission. I am so dead she thought as he stared at her. But something was calm yet unsettling about his glare. It wasn't harsh nor was it gentle, it was a cold stare, one that could pierce it’s way into a pony's mind and never leave. Crystal waited and waited but nothing happened. Soon her father turned to face Moonlight who was shaking nervously behind him. He gave a side smile her way and turned back to Crystal with a more gentle glare. “What am I going to do with you child. I can’t keep ya from talkin about your ma can I? Guess not if ya go blabbering to your sister like that. Ya’ll should be ashamed of yourself, sayin I’m a horrible stallion when your mother was the one who left. I loved more that any of ya’ll could and I want to make that clear. Don’t be tellin lies to your sister Crystal Light. If I hear any talk of your ma you’ll regret it.” With those last words he went back up to his bedroom. Crystal stared at her shaking sister and gingerly placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Come along little sis, we should be asleep about now.” Moonlight nodded and they went back up to the attic. Crystal got settled into her bed at the same time Moonlight did, and within seconds both girls were fast asleep. What seemed like only minutes were hours passing and soon Crystal awoke to the sound of her father cooking. From what she smelled it was pancakes, fluffy, delicious pancakes right off of the oven just the way she liked them. Crystal put on her slippers and charged down the steps, her hooves stopping at the base of the steps when she heard an all too familiar sound. The sound of tears striking the floor as the cries of pain echoed through the empty house they called home.Peeking her head in the doorway (that had no door) she saw the familiar sight of her father crying by the stove. Crystal slowly approached her father and hesitantly put her hoof on his shoulder. She never understood why he usually cried like this, it would only happen once a week or more often than that.Her father looked over at her with tears in his eyes. Crystal smiled, but instead of her father smiling back like always his frown twisted and changed into a devilish grin. Crystal backed up quickly, cold fear flooding her body as her limbs became numb. Crystal attempted to move but it felt like her hooves were glued to the floor, she tugged harder trying to break away her hooves from the ground. Her father approached her, his smiling and the way he moved was off putting to her. Crystal called out for Moonlight but no words escaped her mouth, all that was heard was a small whisper that quickly vanished in the air. Her father soon began to change shape, his once light green coat began to darken into a black coal color. His eyes turned pure red instead of the comforting heat that radiated from his dark red eyes. His dark blue mane began to fall out, leaving behind only small pieces of hair on his neck and head.

When he finally reached Crystal he was nothing but a black mass with red eyes. Crystal couldn't look into them, it was not the same as before. The creature laughed at her refusal to look at him and reached out a shadowy hoof towards her. Crystal yanked her head away from his hoof and soon she looked right into his eyes. Within seconds, Crystal felt her soul leave her body. Her senses numb and her body seemed to fall as her soul was sucked from it. A flash of light surrounded Crystal and she was flung back against the wall. When she did open her eyes something amazing happened,a beautiful alicorn mare stood before the creature. Her blue coat complimented her mane which seemed to shimmer like the night sky. Crystal tried to get a closer look of the mare but she remained in her place as the mare blasted away what was left of the beast, leaving nothing behind. “Are you alright little one?” The mare turned around to approach Crystal Light. Crystal nodded her head, “yeah, I’m fine.” The mare helped her to her hooves,”you show signs of fear, come along child. I will bring you to a safer place.” With those words they were teleported to a very strange place. “The celestial plain?” Crystal tilted her head towards the mare. She knew this place and recognized it as soon as she saw it. “Yes child, the realm that exists between reality and imagination.” The mare turned around to face Crystal, “Of course I shouldn't have to introduce myself since you may know me already,” “Of course I do Princess Luna.” Luna nodded and smiled at her. Crystal looked around the plain, nothing but what seemed to be the night and day mixed together was present. A single starry path was visible but Luna seemed not to follow it. Crystal followed Luna to a portal that leaded them to Crystal’s tree-house Moonlight and she used to play in all the time.

Luna’s horn glowed a brilliant blue and it lit the darkened single room of the tree-house. Crystal looked into Luna’s blue eyes but didn't say a word. She lowered her head in submission to the princess but Luna lifted Crystal’s head with a frown on her face. “ Why do you show weakness to me Crystal Light?” The sound of her name spoken by the princess sent her heart racing. “I just want to be respectful princess,” Crystal lowered her head again but immediately rose up again as Luna spoke, “there is no need Crystal, I shall not require your signs of submission or weakness as an order of respect. What I do see as respect is when ponies show me strength. So raise yourself high child.” Crystal rose all the way up, her horn poised high in the air. “Very good. Now, it is time you understand the truth about your fears.” Crystal dropped her ears at the word “fear”. She didn't like that word and never shall. Luna saw her reaction and stopped herself from continuing. “I am sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.” “ It’s ok princess.” “Call me Luna, it’s the least you could do for me.” Crystal lowered her gaze down to the rugged wood flooring. “Of course, Luna.” Luna raised her horn high, her wings fully stretched out, with a look a regality Princess Luna looked down towards Crystal, “tell me what you fear child.” Crystal spoke clearly but fearful, “I fear nothing at all Luna. “How can you be so certain of that when you can’t look me or your father in the eye.” Crystal’s eyes filled with tears and Luna reached out a hoof to comfort her. “I am sorry. I know not what upsets you but I do know what troubles you.” Luna looked into Crystal’s eyes, “you're afraid of him.” Crystal finally realized her true fear, and at that moment she finally broke out of her protective nature and she cried. Luna smiled and held Crystal close, “you understand my words, and you take them to heart. This is a good sign Crystal Light. You're ready.” Crystal looked up to Luna, tears streaming down her face, “what do you mean by ready?” Luna’s smile faded, “I’ll explain later my dear child. But now you need to awaken to face your true fear.”