The Manifest Dream

As Lady Serenity was guided to a grand carriage awaiting her at the back of the castle, standing in front of that very same carriage was Princess Luna. The princess wore a questionable expression as she looked upon the filly with half closed eyes.

Serenity frowned a little. It was as if there were tension in the air before the tender moments had even began. She casually trotted forward and kept her head lowered nervously, as she attempted to make her way up and into the carriage by herself, without saying a word.

However, suddenly blocking her like a barricade, with a raised hoof, was Princess Luna as she eyed the filly.

Lady Serenity started to tremble as she attempted to remain still and without worry, but she couldn't shake the fear.

Princess Luna then did something the filly never expected, and pulled her into a one hoofed hug. "I can read you so easily Serenity. Why're you so afraid of me? What have I done to cause such concern?" She frowned a little, before using her magic to open the door for the filly.

Serenity peered up at Princess Luna with guilt. "F-Forgive me Princess Luna, I just feel, that, you always seem to give me strange looks."

Princess Luna nodded briefly as she used her magic next to raise the filly up and into the carriage. "Ah I see, now I understand." She disappeared then, before reappearing beside Serenity in the carriage in an empty seat. "Do forgive me for that Serenity."

Serenity wore a blank expression as she sat sternly in her seat, eyeing the floor of the carriage.

Princess Luna wrapped a hoof around the filly, pulling her against her side before looking at the two pegasus at the front. "We may depart, do make haste, Princess Cadence is expecting us." She then turned her attention back to Serenity. "I'm sorry if I frightened you. There is reason for my concern Serenity, but it has little to do with you. My sister is the one I'm more worried about at the moment."

Serenity looked up at Princess Luna worriedly. "With mother? W-Why?"

Princess Luna's gaze drifted a little, as if she were lost in her thoughts. "It's nothing a child like yourself should be concerned with. These are issues that relate to us grownups Serenity, and I don't want to worry you." She glanced over at the filly. "For now I just want to make sure you are happy, much like your mother does, but to do that I need a few answers Serenity, answers I cannot find alone." She frowned a little. "Your mother and I have a strong bond, that much is certain, but do you realize what you are? Where you came from?"

Serenity paused, looking at the floor of the carriage. "I remember mother, s-she, she was the first thing I saw. I, I know I'm a pony, and I am mother's pony. I-Is there something else I should know Auntie?" She peered back up at Princess Luna with concern, and obvious worry. "I've studied as much as possible, but there's still some things I don't know! I'm sorry I can't provide any more information for you!"

Princess Luna flinched before looking away towards the skies. "No Serenity, that will be all." She clutched the filly and pulled her closer. Such idiocy! I have already worried her! But- she paused, to create an alicorn. What did you use Celestia? And why?

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Princess Celestia entered Serenity's bedroom chambers. Within there were numerous stacks of open books spread about the entire area. Serenity's bed was made, her bathroom was tidy, and her window was still open. Princess Celestia's eyes widened a little at the sight of the open window, before grumpily making her way over towards it. "Did she truly open her window without my permission? That child." She hurriedly raised her hoof, and attempted to reach outside the window, as she was blocked by a magical barrier. Princess Celestia smiled a little, "Good, the barrier is still in place. This should prevent any unwarranted entry into her room."

Princess Celestia then made her way over towards Serenity's bed before lowering her frame and resting her two front hooves and her head atop of it. "It has only been a few minutes and I already miss her." She sighed, glancing over and down at one of the open books. "I do hope Luna is taking good care of her. I have ensured she studies, so she should know full well of the dangers of the outside world." Princess Celestia glanced up towards the ceiling. "She is maturing just fine, but she needs to be educated." She reached for one of the pillows, before hugging and clutching it with worry. "She will be absolutely fine with Luna. There's no reason to worry, calm down Celestia..."

A wide and affectionate smile came upon Princess Celestia then, as she couldn't contain her joy at the thought. "After all this time, I have my own daughter." She paused, "I should've been the one to go with her, especially on such an important day of her life. But I cannot abandon Canterlot, I have responsibilities I must attend to." Her eyes began to tear up as her expression gradually sunk, and she buried her head into her pillow. Princess Celestia wrapped a hoof around herself in a pained manner. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry Serenity...I couldn't..."

And like a child, Princess Celestia began to sob into the pillow as she squeezed it tighter. "I'm sorry I'm not there right now. Please Luna..."

And as Princess Luna and Serenity's carriage soared through the skies, Princess Luna had one hoof planted against her cheek while her elbow rested on the side of the carriage. She looked towards the sunset skies and sighed heavily as she still had her hoof wrapped around Serenity as well. She glanced over and down at the filly as if to ensure she was alright, only to find Serenity had fallen asleep already. Princess Luna smiled softly, before the carriage came to a sudden abrupt halt in the middle of the sky, which caused her to jolt forward.

Princess Luna peered ahead angrily. "What's the meaning of this! What're you two stopping for, this is an important-" but Princess Luna's eyes grew wide with shock as she, along with the two guards that drove, noticed a band of five mysterious individuals blocking their path in the skies. Princess Luna's expression became serious as she glanced back down at Serenity, then back towards the individuals. Her nose wrinkled in silent rage as she glared at them, inquiring, "What is the meaning of this nonsense? Do you realize who you're trifling with!?"

All members of the mysterious group wore thick brown rags over their faces.

One of the individuals at the front of the group's eyes widened as her eyes started to glow green, while all their horns began to ignite with green flame in unison. The obvious leader of the group spoke, her voice was chilling, alluring in its own strange way as she spoke with an intent rage of her own. "Did you two truly think you could hide such a precious prize from me? I sense the love that resides within that child! Who do you think we are Little Princess!?" Before instantaneously, they let off a blast of magical energy straight towards the carriage.

Princess Luna's eyes snapped wide with disbelief as she immediately reacted, reaching for Serenity in her panic. "S-SERENITY!"

And Serenity's eyes slowly opened as she rose her head with a smile. "Auntie Luna? What's the matter?"

But before Princess Luna could even speak, a bright light consumed them as their carriage had been struck by the blast.

And debris rained from the sky, as a cloud of black smoke now veiled the area where the carriage had once been.