The Dream Walkers

The next morning wasn't any better. Crystal woke up that morning after a night of tossing and turning. Bags under her eyes she went downstairs to prepare breakfast since her father was at work that day. She made toast for her ad Moonlight and they both ate in silence. As Crystal washed the dishes, Moonlight sat in the living room and played around with levitating some of her stuffed animals. Crystal smiled and watched her, before thinking she walked over and started to help her sister with levitation. Moonlight tried to copy Crystal but soon got frustrated and threw her favorite stuffed bunny on the ground. Crystal picked it up and dusted it off. "You'll learn one day little sis, magic doesn't come easily." Moonlight pouted and crossed her hooves. "Easy for you to say, your special talent is magic," "Yes it is, but how do you think I earned my special talent?" Crystal stared at Moonlight before continuing, "how do you think I got my cutie mark?" Moonlight shrugged. Crystal smiled, "then it's about time I told you.

Crystal went into full detail explaining the story of how she got her cutie mark, the whole time Moonlight listening with great interest. "...and then this appeared on my flank" she said, pointing to the two finely cut emeralds that shined brilliantly on her flank. Moonlight gazed at her blank flank and her expression saddened. "But when will I get mine big sis?" Crystal couldn't say anything at that moment because she didn't know, but as sly as a fox she made her reasoning, "It will come when you discover your gift, a cutie mark happens when it chooses to." "But what is my gift? How do I know what it is?" "Your special gift is something you must discover for yourself." These words hit Moonlight in a cold way, she didn't want to hear those words. She wanted to hear what her gift was. But clearly even Crystal didn't know. Moonlight sat beside Crystal before jumping down and heading outside to play with her friends. Crystal watched her little sister run off with her friends. Crystal sighed as she thought about the one friend she did have long ago. Odessa was a bat pony mare who was greedy at times, but always put Crystal's needs before her own. Crystal liked Odessa, but their friendship was short because Odessa had to leave Equestria due to committing a serious crime. Crystal remembered being in the court room when the judge ruled that Odessa shall live in exile for the rest of her life. Not being able to live in Equestria. Crystal cried like she never had before that day. Of course Crystal got over it and tried making new friends but to no avail. No one liked Crystal, and this was a stone hard fact that lived with her throughout all of her days.

Crystal spent the rest of her day alone, mostly traveling around Ponyville and saying hello to ponies she passed by. Finally she reached the castle of Princess Twilight. The large daunting castle which seemed to be made entirely of gems. This was usually the point where she turned back but this time was different. This time she just stared at the castle with a sense of fascination and wonder. Never had she noticed the many different gems that made up the walls and the large structure above that it supported. Crystal gazed until a familiar mare approached her. "Howdy there Crystal Light!" Crystal looked over at Glimmer who was anything but ordinary. The mare didn't sleep! Crystal highly disliked the fact this mare was like a plant. She didn't need sleep, nor did she need food to stay alive. All this mare seemed to need was air and nothing else. "Hi Glimmer..." Crystal spoke with a uncertainty in her voice. "Pleasure to see you here, observin the castle an all." Crystal stared at the light red mare with a puzzled expression. Why and how does this mare stay alive, she's a few, no, many apples short of a bushel. And there ain't no denying it. "Pretty ain't it, thing popped out of the ground an been here ever since." Where the heck does this pony get her information from? Nothing like that could just pop out of the ground she thought, but as soon as Crystal thought it, Glimmer seemed to read her mind like it was an open book. "I ain't lyin, all of what I said is true." "Ok, whatever you say Glimmer." Glimmer smiled and bounced away. Crystal gazed at her for a second. The mare is a unicorn, yet how is she so dumb? Nothing would ever make sense again after that, especially when Glimmer would reveal who she truly was.

The night routine was the same thing it always was. Moonlight went to sleep the same time Crystal did. Crystal was glad to be in her bed again, except she wasn't prepared for what fate had in store for her that night.