Twilight and Flash walked down the halls of the elementary school. The white painted, cinder block walls were pasted with artwork from the children of the various grades. The better ones being mostly from the older children. As the grades decreased, one could see the difference in the quality. Fairly passable depictions of families gave way to what Twilight called, "shape people', those gave way to stick figures, and finally squiggles at the end. Bulletin boards with various announcements, photos, and rule reminders were hung at regular intervals. It was all things the two had seen half a dozen times as they made their way to Nova's classroom.

Flash took the handle to the classroom door and looked at Twilight. They both breathed a deep breath. It was the type of deep breath taken by some about to embark on something dangerous and was just trying to steady their nerves. They nodded to one another, Flash opened the door and they both walked in. Nova was sitting alone in a corner near the coat racks. Her teacher was standing in the middle of the room, keeping an eye on her. Nova looked both depressed and defiant. Her teacher turned to look at Flash and Twilight as they walked.

Twilight and Flash said hello in their friendliest voices possible. It was the voices of people who know something bad is about to happen but hope if they act nice enough; maybe things won't go as bad. Nova's teacher just glared at them.

"She did it again," the teacher said in that voice that rumbled with anger and frustration.

Twilight and Flash exchanged worried looks. Flash said he'd go over and talk to Nova. Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose and rubbed it.

"So, what exactly was it this time Ms. Shapton?" Twilight asked; sure he really didn't want to know the answer.

"She levitated another student," Ms Shapton said in the same rumbling tone.

"Oh no," Twilight moaned in frustration.

"Mrs. Sentry, this makes the third your daughter has done something magical at school. I understand she's young. I understand her powers come from you. I was there at Cantorlot High when Sunset Shimmer turned into a demon. And, as then, I vowed to keep these things a secret. BUT; I can not do so if she keeps doing things like this. Children talk Ms. Sentry. Luckily, parents don't believe them. However; if enough students keep saying the exact same thing; they at least get curious and want to check things out."

Twilight both shook and nodded her head at the same time. "I know, I know. We've had this conversation with her before. We try Ms. Shapton; we really do. But, she's only five; and you know how five year olds can be." Twilight really was at the end of her rope. She was worried what would happen to her, to Nova, if any news about her abilities came out. The human track record with magical beings wasn't good. She and Flash tried so hard to explain to Nova what the stakes were if she used magic in public; but like most kids, she just wouldn't listen.

"I understand Mrs. Sentry, Twilight," Ms. Shapton's tone softened. She liked Nova. Nova was one of her best students. She was far and away more advanced than all of her peers. She had talked numerous times to the principle about moving Nova up a grade; but she also knew if she couldn't get a handle on her powers, things wouldn't turn out well. She wasn't mad, just extremely concerned.

"Hey honey," Flashed said softly as he got to where Nova was sitting. He looked down lovingly at her. She was his pride and joy, the reason for his smile, the song in his heart. He loved her more than anyone or thing (and considering how much he loved Twilight; that was saying something).

"Hi daddy," she said in a voice full of sadness, frustration, and a touch of fear for what would happen.

Flash kneeled down in front of her and took her chin in his right hand. "It's ok kiddo. Mind telling me what happened?" Flashes voice was sweet, low, and full of comfort and love.

"Jimmy called me a booger-head," she said softly. Then with a voice that was a little louder and far angrier, she said, "I'm not a booger-head!"

"No, you're not." Flash was a bit mad now. Sure, name calling was something children did. And as far as childish insults went, that wasn't too bad; but this was his daughter and no one talked to her that way.

"So I kinda picked him up without using my hands." Her voice got lower and lower as she finished her sentence and she looked down at the table as she finished.

Flash looked around to make sure no one was looking, raised his right hand with the palm facing forward and whispered, "High five."

Nova smiled a large, joyful, smile and slapped her father's hand so hard, the sound of the slap echoed through out the classroom. Twilight and Ms. Shapton looked over to see what was going on. Flash and Nova both blushed and Flash pretended to scold the girl while she pretended to be contrite.

Twilight shook her head in disgust that her husband wasn't taking this seriously. She went to look back at Ms. Shapton but she was gone. What! Where'd she go? Twilight thought to herself in fear. She went to ask Flash what was going on but he and Nova were gone too. Soon the class room was gone and Twilight was alone in an autumn forest at night.

She was also a pony.

Twilight started running frantically around, looking for a clue, any clue as to what was happening. She was frightened, her husband, daughter, all gone and here she was in pony form in a spooky forest at night. Her heart beat faster as she ran screaming for Flash and Nova.

"Twilight! Stop! I'm here."

Twilight stopped. That voice; it wasn't Flash, it wasn't Nova, but it was familiar. It was -PRINCESS LUNA! Twilight then realized she was dreaming. All this was nothing but a dream. She looked over her right shoulder and saw Princess Luna approaching.

"I heard you calling out, so I came," Luna spoke as a mother comforting a child. "What is it my child?"

Twilight lowered her head. "I was dreaming about them again," she sighed in embarrassment and sadness. "Flash, Nova, they all seemed so real. I don't know. Flash I understand, but the girl, she's always the same, well, she appears as different ages, but it's always the same person. I don't know."

Luna's heart broke for Twilight. How could she tell her that those weren't dreams but memories of a future that no longer exists? Since having time reset, all the events she lived through in that alternate timeline never "officially" happened. But they were still there, deep in Twilight's subconscious. Not just the memories of what did happen but what would have happened. Twilight made the choice to come back of her own freewill; but knowing what she left behind, having that weigh on her every day for the rest of her much longer than she could ever imaging, might be too much.

"The girl is what your heart wants her to be." It was one of those sentences that didn't actually say anything; but sounded really profound. She hated saying them because she knew they were meaningless; but they did serve a purpose on occasions like this.

"I know," sighed Twilight, not feeling any better, "But why always her? Why not a son sometimes or a boy and a girl? Or . . ."

"Twilight," Luna said sympathetically, "she is what she; for your dreams are your dreams. Sometimes the only deeper message in your dreams is that this is what you wish would be."

Twilight looked at Luna unconvinced. "My life has changed so much. I wanted nothing more than to bury myself in my books. Then I just wanted to be a normal person, I mean pony. And when I became a princess, I didn't know if I was ready and I went on to not only believe I was; but I wanted even more responsibility."

"And you now have that; Princess of Friendship," Luna gently goaded.

"Complete with castle." Twilight tried to make it sound like a joke but there was a ruefulness behind it that couldn't be concealed. "I have a title, friends, everything. But I feel like I'm still being called back to Earth. I'm torn. I shouldn't be. I mean, he's a different species, we've only really ever known each other for four, five days? - that's barely enough to form a crush. But I can't help it."

Luna walked over to Twilight and stood beside her. "The heart feels what it feels. It can not be reasoned with, debated, persuaded; it just feels. But, and I know this better than anyone, when the heart is allowed to rule over the head and we give ourselves over to our own desires, good things do not always follow. In fact; very bad things can come of it. It doesn't change or even help what you feel; but it can help how you deal with those feelings."

Twilight raised her eyebrows. "I guess. I guess I'm just lonely." Twilight got a very quizzical look on her face. "Princess Luna, how come you and Princess Celestia never married?" Twilight couldn't believe she never thought of that question before. It was a question which now seemed of the upmost importance.

Luna was very quiet. There was a look of quiet sadness that came upon her face. "With great power, comes great responsibility; which demands great personal sacrifice." Luna shook her head and then flashed Twilight a smile. "I have my sister, I have the citizens of Equestria, and I have you. That's more than enough to replace a husband."

"And children?" Twilight asked in equal parts fear and hope.

"You are all my children my dear. Now, let us go for a dream fly." Luna spread her wings and began to fly off. Twilight decided to join her and flew off after her.

Author's Note

This is going to be a short, 3 part story. Next chapter will involve Celestia and Luna and the third will include Celestia and Twilight. This will be one of a couple short stories to fill in the gap between "Mountains" and the next Long form story. Basically to wrap up any lose ends from the first and set the stage for the second. So hopefully you like.