Happy Hearths warming, Sunset

    Sunset sat, chewing lazily. She, Twilight, and Spike were all eating a dinner of pumpkin soup. The tension in the room was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Trixie had returned eight times that day. It got to the point where Twilight just cast a magic bubble around the castle making it impossible for Trixie to enter. By dinner time, all three of them were tired and stressed.

"Thank you, Spike. This was delicious" said Sunset, standing up. "I'm going to go take a bath. Can I take any ones plate?"

"No, thanks" said Twilight, smiling up at her stiffly. Spike just grunted and continued to pick at his soup.

"Okay" said Sunset before placing her own plate in the sink and trotting out of the room.

                                                                             ***

    Sunset jolted awake and glanced over to her clock. She had only been asleep for a few minutes before being awoken by knocking at her door.

"Hold on a second!" She called out groggily, flicking on her lights. She walked to her door and opened it.

"Twilight? It's 10:30. What do you want?" Grumbled Sunset, still half asleep.

"Sorry" whispered Twilight. "I just wanted to come in and talk to you. May I?"

"Sure" said Sunset, stepping away from the door to let Twilight in. Twilight walked in and turned, watching Sunset as she closed the door.

"So, what's wrong?" Asked Sunset. She had the brief moment of fear that Twilight was going to break up with her. Tell her to leave and never come back, but she quickly dismissed it. Why would Twilight do that only a couple of days after she had offered Sunset to stay in Equestria?

"I-I'm sorry, Sunset" gasped Twilight. "It's not you, it's me. And I think we should see other ponies"

Sunset stepped back and breathed quickly. So, she was right.

"W-what?" Half sobbed Sunset. "What do you mean? D-did I do something?" She asked quietly.

"Sunset, I already told you. It's me. Actually, no. It was definitely more of you." Said Twilight, an undertone of coldness creeping into her voice. Sunset just stood there, staring. "In fact," continued Twilight, smirking.

"I don't think you should even stay here any longer. Here, I already packed your bags" she said, levitating Sunset's bags in front of her, taunting her as someone might a dog.

"D-do you really mean it?" Stuttered Sunset, looking down at her hooves. She jumped and whirled when she heard another voice, this time coming from behind her.

"Of course." Boomed Celestia. "You'll never be more than a joke."

"N-no!" Squeaked Sunset. And suddenly she was a filly again, Celestia towering over her. Sunset whimpered as a feeling of powerlessness washed over her. She shivered lightly and her knees gave out. She fell to the floor and covered her face with her hooves as the sounds of aggressive laughter filled the air. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. This wasn't right. This couldn't be happening, it had to be a dream. That's it, it must be a dream! But, how can you escape a dream? Twilight and Celestia started circling Sunset, pulling their lips back to reveal rows of sharp teeth and started snarling. The two pounced simultaneously.

"Stop!" Boomed another loud voice from above, one loud enough to block out the snarls and growls. Sunset wanted to look up, but couldn't. Her head seemed to be twenty times heavier. She rolled her eyes slightly so she could see four blue hooves land on Celestia, turning her to dust. She heard a shriek from her left and the sound of Twilight turning to dust. The other pony panted slightly before walking towards Sunset.

"Come now, Sunset" said Luna, holding out a hoof. Sunset took it and stood, glad to find that she could think clearly again. At Lunas touch it was as if a cold breeze swept through her, clearing her head.

"A-are you real?" Asked Sunset, wiping her eyes quickly.

"Yes. I control the domain of night and all in it. Including dreams" panted Luna. Sunset noticed that she was sweating and was tired looking.

"Prin- Luna, are you okay?" Asked Sunset, calling her by her name after Luna gave her a quick, stern glance.

"Yes, I am fine. Your nightmares are very strong, much stronger than those of a normal pony. It took much more power than I had expected to defeat those things" said Luna, watching her suspiciously.

"So, this is a nightmare?" Asked Sunset, looking around.

"Yes. I was spy- err, doing my normal rounds, when I felt a strong presence. I went to investigate and found this. Are you okay, miss. Shimmer?" Asked Luna, examining a small bruise on Sunsets neck.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine, thanks" said Sunset, twitching lightly as Lunas armored hoof made contact with her skin.

"Okay. Well, let's get out of he-" started Luna, but got cut off by a loud screech behind her. The two ponies whirled and gasped. The dust that had made up Celestia and Twilight had morphed together and began to reform. Sunset gasped and felt as though she might be sick. The creature was a deformed version of Twilight and Celestia, but...not. Its eyes were black and had crude, yellow fangs sticking out from its muzzle. Perhaps the worst part was that its skin kept sliding off of its body, landing with a sickening *splat* at the floor. The stench was unbearable. Rotting meat along with another sharp odor that Sunset couldn't place. She turned and threw up. She heard Luna gasp behind her.

"This isn't possible!" She shouted over the beasts cries. "I destroyed you! This isn't possible!" She repeated. Her eyes were narrowed, but looked nervous. "Sunset! End this dream!"

"W-what!? How!?" Cried Sunset back, still clutching at her stomach.

"Wake up-" said Luna, but was cut off when the beast flung her across the room. She landed with a hard thud and Sunset flinched when she heard a crunch.

"L-Luna?" Squeaked Sunset. She looked up in fear as the creature reared its ugly head in her direction. She backed up against the wall, but the creature kept advancing. Just as it got close enough for her to smell its hot breath, she felt the floor disappearing under her hooves. The creature lifted her up, hooves forcefully pressed against Sunsets throat so she couldn't breathe. Sunset struggled, but its grip would tighten whenever she moved. She started to see walls of black pressing in around her vision when the creature shrieked again and dropped her. Sunset crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. She looked up and saw that a giant hole had been blown through the creature’s midsection. Through the hole, she saw Luna. The creature once again dissolved into dust. Luna had been standing with her legs far apart, head down and horn angled at the beast. She had her wings completely flared out to their full size, which was bigger than Celestias. Her mane had been flowing straight up and her eyes were white. Dark blue flames were licking around her legs. Sunset would've run away had she seen Luna angry at her like that. Very quickly, Luna changed back to her original form. She took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that" she said in a monotone.

"N-no, thank you so much" said Sunset, resisting the urge to bow.

"Were you aware that, had you died in this dream, you would have died out of this dream as well?" Asked Luna.

"What? No, I wasn't. But, really?" Stuttered out Sunset, confused.

"Yes. When more than one pony is in the same dream, it makes the dream more like reality, because there are too many real ponies. This is the downfall to my dream walking ability" explained Luna. "But most nightmares I assist in are not so... deadly. I usually get things like the headless horse or ghosts. But this, this is something new. I've never seen such a powerful dream. Even from before my banishment." Said Luna. "I am going to end this dream. Tomorrow, I would like you to come to Canterlot and request an audience with me. We will discuss this more tomorrow. Good night, Sunset Shimmer" and with that, Luna ended the dream and Sunset sat bolt upright in bed. There was a frantic knocking at the door.

"Sunset!?" Came Twilights muffled voice. "Sunset let me in! Are you okay? Unlock the door!"

Sunset was even more tired than she had been before she fell asleep, so she used her magic to turn the lock. Twilight burst through the door, looking around frantically as she turned on the lights. She let out a sigh when she didn't see some terrible monster, but still quickly trotted over to the bed. "Sunset, what's wrong!?" She asked loudly, checking over Sunset for wounds. "What're these!?" She cried hysterically when she saw the bright bruises around her neck.

"It was a nightmare. Luna helped me, but, something was choking me" she said, deliberately leaving out the fact that the thing that tried to kill her was half Twilight. "Luna wants me to go to Canterlot tomorrow"

"How did your nightmare cause these?" Asked Twilight, gently nuzzling Sunsets wounds.

"Luna said that the power of my nightmare was really strong. That and the fact that she was there. It made my dream closer to reality" explained Sunset. She looked at Twilight, but quickly closed her eyes. When she looked at Twilight, all she could see was the creature, yellow fangs and rotting skin. Sunset got a huge wave of nausea and knew she was going to be sick. She took deep breaths through her nose, but the awful rotting scent returned. Sunset jumped and ran into her bathroom just in time. Twilight sat next to her, gently rubbing her back. Sunset finally finished, leaving her with a gnawing hunger in her stomach. She rinsed out her mouth with water before allowing Twilight to lead her back to bed. Sunset sat down as Twilight called Spike.

"Can you do me a favor and run down the street to that convenience store?" She asked.

"Sure. What do you need?" He asked.

"I need you to go and get some lemon lime soda and ice cream. Lots of soda and ice cream" said Twilight, giving Spike a small bundle of bits. Spike accepted them and walked out in the direction of the front door. Twilight turned back and trotted into the room. She climbed into the bed next to Sunset.

"Sunset, what's wrong? I can tell that you didn't puke because you're sick." She said, wrapping her hooves around Sunset.

"It was the nightmare, but I don't want to talk about it" Sunset whispered back.

"Okay. Do you want to put in a movie?" Asked Twilight, massaging small circles into Sunsets shoulder.

"Sure. Nothing scary"

                                                                           ***

    The next morning, Twilight and Sunset left for Canterlot. They took an express train, so arrived in just over an hour. Twilight kept trying to make simple small chat, but Sunset just stared out the window. Soon enough, the train pulled into Canterlot and the pair walked off. Twilight and Sunset trotted away quickly and made their way to the castle. Twilight walked straight through the guards, but Sunset was a little behind her, so the guards clashed their spears back together, blocking her path. One of the spears scratched her face and gave her a cut below her eye.

"Hey!" Said Twilight loudly, forcing her way past the guards and crouching in front of Sunset. "Oh jeez it's really bleeding" she added as a small puddle started to form on the floor.

"Here, I have some tissues in my bag" said Sunset, floating them out. Twilight took them and pressed a few to Sunsets cheek. Twilight turned slightly and glared at the guards.

"What were you thinking? You should know you can't harm a pony unless it's in self-defense or in defense of the Princess'" scolded Twilight. The guards shifted lightly under Twilights piercing glare.

"I-I'm sorry, your highness. It's a- um, force of habit" said the guard hastily. Twilight snorted and turned back to Sunset. She quickly conjured up some medical supplies and made a small patch on the cut. The two mares turned back and walked through the large arch. They wandered up the spiral staircase and came to a large blue door emblazoned with a silver moon. Twilight knocked three times before the door was opened quickly. Two guards had opened them, and bowed when they saw Twilight. Twilight lowered her head slightly and walked through the doors, Sunset following close behind. Luna sat tall in a large black throne. Sunset looked around in wonder. She had never been in this part of the castle. It was a throne room to rival Celestias. The walls were made of a dark blue glass, allowing little light to filter in. When Sunset looked up, she gasped. The roof was completely black with glowing rocks embedded in it, replicating stars. A large one of these rocks had been carved into the shape of a crescent moon and placed in the ceiling. The combination of the rocks illuminated the room warmly and evenly. It was slightly cold in the room, but a comfortable cold. The two mares walked down the long blue carpet to the throne. Luna was wearing a black, glittering neck plate with a white moon in the center. Her crown was tall and majestic. Her crown, in contrast to the rest of the room, was a pure white. Sunset and Twilight both bowed and Luna did the same. She turned and nodded briefly to the guards, who lowered their heads and walked out the doors, closing them behind. Luna sighed deeply and quickly took flight. She continued to sigh in pleasure as she flapped around the large room. She started giggling a little bit before landing in front of the pair.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I usually have to wait all day before being allowed to escape into the night and stretch my wings. Especially after having to sit, 'like a real mare and Princess; straight, proper, and powerfully' for hours"

"Luna, when do you sleep?" Asked Sunset, head tilted slightly to the side.

"Oh, I don't. Well, I don't need too, but I do enjoy the occasional nap. For some reason, I never feel the need to sleep" she explained. "And I love taking flights around Equestria at night. In fact, I'm taking one tonight. Care to join me?" She asked, glancing from one mare to the next.

"You fly around all of Equestria?" Asked Sunset, eyes wide.

"What," said Luna with a slight smirk? "You thought Rainbow Dash was really the fastest pony in all of Equestria?"

"But Luna, no pony can fly all around Equestria in one night!" Exclaimed Twilight.

"Twilight, did you not experience super speed when you were given our magic during the battle with Lord Tirek?" Asked Luna, taking back to the air and doing tight loops.

"Well, yes" said Twilight, still not completely sure.

"Who do you think you got that from?" Said Luna from above. It was hard for Sunset to keep watch of her. Luna would flap lazily, then suddenly be on the other side of the room. Sunset thought at first that she was teleporting, but if she watched very closely, she could see that Lunas horn never glowed.

'Hmm,' thought Sunset. 'So she does have super speed'.

"B-but how?" Asked Twilight, still confused.

"The moon has many secrets, Twilight Sparkle. Secrets that must remain so" said Luna airily. Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled at Sunset. Sunset smiled back as Luna landed lightly in front of her. "Sunset Shimmer" she said with authority. Sunset jumped lightly when Luna landed and looked up.

"Y-yes?" She asked quietly.

"Come with me. And you can stay here, Twilight Sparkle" said Luna, holding up a hoof to stop Twilight from following. Twilight looked at Sunset, who gave her a brief nod and smile. Twilight smiled back gently before turning and wandering about the room. Sunset followed Luna out of the large chambers and down a hallway to a smaller door, also emblazoned with a large crescent moon. Luna opened it and walked in, trailed by Sunset. "Please, sit" said Luna, gesturing around the room. Sunset looked around in awe. The room was cavernous, the ceiling at least 60-ft high. The walls of the huge dome were black, silver vines and flowers twisting elegantly all across them. There was also a large circular bed in the corner. Sunset sat on the bed as Luna sat on a pillow on the ground, facing Sunset. "Sunset, I worry for you." Said Luna, in a blunt voice. "You should not have such strong nightmares. Are you familiar with old magic?" She asked.

"A little. I studied them when I was younger, but Celestia didn't want me reading about them, so she banned them" explained Sunset, still looking around. The silver vines on the walls intertwined at the top to form a grate, letting natural light filter in.

"Have you ever heard of something called the Tantibus?" Said Luna, levitating down a dark blue book from a tall bookshelf. Sunset shook her head slowly and examined the book that was now floating in front of her. It was very old, faded letters scrambled all across the front. Luna opened the book and began to read. "'The Tantibus is a smoke like parasite that inhabits ponies’ dreams. It creates very powerful nightmares and feeds off of the fear generated. It can hold extreme power over a pony if they do not know about it. The Tantibus has been known to only infect one pony in history, Obscura Luna Umbra'. You see Sunset, when I was born names were very direct and specific. Obscura Luna Umbra is my full name. It is Latin, the dead language, and translates into Dark Moon Shadow. Very direct, and not very creative. Being the princess of the night, I was more vulnerable to the Tantibus. This book is incorrect. There was one more pony it has infected, but it was before my sister or I were born. Our father, named a simple 'Stellarum', was the ruler of the night before I. He was also infected. He was also an alicorn. The Tantibus is a night dweller and attacks those who hold power over it. But you... you are the loose end. Why did it attack you? You hold no power over the night. Unless... unless..." rambled Luna, brows furrowed. She gasped and instantly took flight, soaring up to the ceiling. The silver vines sprung to life and unwinded. Luna shot through the opening like a cannon ball and soared to the other side of the castle and landing on a golden balcony, galloping inside. Meanwhile, Sunset sat stalk still on the bed, eyes wide. Her hair was completely blown back. When Luna had taken off, a loud bang and wall of shadows and stars had swept past Sunset. She slowly stood and patted down her hair before walking out the door and back to the throne room. Twilight half tackled her and started fixing her hair while Sunset told her all that had happened.

"Do you know why she just left?" Asked Twilight.

"No, but I think we can leave. Let's go home" replied Sunset, nuzzling Twilight. The two mares stood and walked out of the throne room.

                                                                          ***

    Twilight, Sunset, Spike, and Pinkie sat at Sugar Cube Corner, each enjoying a cupcake. Spike opened his mouth and let out a large belch.

"Spike, you know that's rude" said Twilight, chewing lazily while staring out a window. She was jolted out of her stupor when she heard a magical tinkling behind her. She grabbed the floating letter in her magic. Twilight opened it and read the first line, standing abruptly.

"It says we need to get home now" she said seriously. Sunset and Spike both stood and started trotting towards the large looming castle.

"Hey, do you guys need help?" Asked Pinkie, using her tail as a stool.

"No Pinkie, we're fine. Thanks though!" Said Twilight, giving Pinkie a quick hug.

"Okie dokie loki!" Said Pinkie perkily, eating two cupcakes in one bite. Twilight stretched and groaned, wings puffing out. She trotted out the door and saw Spike and Sunset far down the road. Twilight started walking down the road, but stopped suddenly with wide eyes when she saw the orange speck that was Sunset sway and fall over. Twilight watched but Sunset didn't rise. She stretched her wings and soared over to them.

"What happened?" She shouted, poking Sunset with her hooves and nose desperately.

"I don't know! We were just walking when she fell!" Exclaimed Spike, eyes wide and afraid. Twilight rolled Sunset over and gasped. Protruding from her back was a sleek black dart.