Phoenix

Years ago...

For the two months that Dawn has been living at the orphanage, her life has gotten slightly better, though she feels as if Ms. Cookie Dough has been playing favoritism to her since Celestia visited Dawn personally, often giving her more than the average sized slice of cake on her dinner plate when dessert came around.

Sonata was ignorant towards the favoritism and seemed happy for Dawn, while the other kids seemed a little annoyed by her. Though they never voice their opinion, as she had three loyal, good friends who'd protect her.

Dawn learned quite a lot about Sonata and her sisters. Sonata was more or less a bit dopey and often called a nut in front of the other kids. She does take offense towards the insult, but when Dawn defended her she didn't care whether or not they started laughing at her.

Aria was Sonata's older sister, she was really tough and brash, often protecting Sonata as she took great care of her little sister. Dawn was a bit scared of Aria, but she soon learned that Aria cared for her in a similar manner too, just like Sonata she was there for her too.

Adagio was the oldest sister and seemed like the one who cared for the group the most. As the temperature became colder when the season changed from fall to winter, Adagio would always cover her with another blanket when she looked like she was freezing and would hug her when she was near her. Adagio was always nice to Dawn and seemed happy when she defended Sonata. A good friend was something she often thought when she saw the young human girl and her little sister play.

Tonight was a normal night, the fillies and colts have all been sleeping and Dawn was with her friends who she considered family, were all laying on the beds in complete silence. The only one making noise was Aria, her snores made Dawn giggle as she was always the heaviest sleeper of the group.

For the past two months Dawn's sleep schedule has always been erratic, sleeping was always a struggle. Ever since she had the nightmare she has had rather odd dreams. Most were about an odd silhouetted stallion who seemed to appear in the dream and Dawn felt as if she knew him, though every time he did nothing but watch. Only stand there, but if something bad would happen, he'd just stay quiet and looked at her.

Tonight was the same, but instead, the odd stallion made a bag appear from thin air, as he rummaged through it and take out a small stuffed bunny, it's ears tied with a pink bow. He stretched out its arm and shook it slightly as Dawn slowly reached for it.

"Is this mine?" She asks nervously, the stallion nodded. Dawn took a hold of the bunny and she looked over it and grinned, giggling a bit as she moved its floppy ears, Dawn looked up towards the stallion and smiled.

"Thank you." She said. He nods and walks away from Dawn, slowly her dream began to dissipate and she held the bunny closer to her chest.

Dawn's eyes open and she looked around the room, seeing the fillies and colts sleeping reminded her that it was still late and the moon was still up high in the sky. As she turned to face away the window she held something close to her chest, feeling a soft feeling on her left hand she looked towards it and gasped.

The stuffed bunny from the dream had appeared near her, everything about it looked exact to the dream one.

Its button eyes were a light leafy green and its bow a bright pink, with a note attached to the side. Taking the note and holding the bunny in the other hand, she walked towards the bathroom, flipping the light switch so she'd have some light for herself. She looked down to the note and began reading.

'You may not know me, but I know you. I'm not here to hurt you, merely to protect you and provide you with gifts a young filly such as yourself deeply deserves. You'll achieve great things in your life, but I must ask you to do one thing. Please find a mirror and focus greatly on your eyes in the mirror.'

Staying quiet she walked over toward the bathroom sinks and climbed on the short step and peered over to see the mirror. Nothing happened for a few seconds, but Dawn then let out a gasp and startled cry. Her midnight blue eyes had a sickly green aura surrounding them, with a purple smoky shadow around the edges of her eye sockets. Dawn hugged the bunny as she began crying, her loud cries began waking up the children just then the door slammed open as Sonata, Aria, and Adagio bursted in looking at the young girl who held a bunny crying on the floor in the fetal position.

"Dawn! Are you okay what's wrong?" Adagio asks as she cradled her head and began stroking her brown hair and shushing her.

"Eyes, evil, nightmare." Dawn said in between paused breaths from her crying.

"Aria, go get Ms. Dough." Aria followed Adagio’s order and exited the bathroom while the rest of the children stood staring at Dawn. Adagio turned Dawn’s face towards her’s, “Don’t worry, Dawn. Everything is normal and there are no spooky eyes around here, focus on my voice and my voice alone.” She started humming a lullaby as Dawn quietly wept, slowly becoming more restful.

Sonata was scared for her friend, and only wanted reassurance that she'll be okay, but Dawn never knew what'll happen in the next few days. The ups and downs of the next week she would remember it all because of the nightmares she will see.

Present...

Dawn and Dusk walked towards the trail towards the farm, where Ponyville’s main food producer was located. With Dawn tagging alongside Barb and Dusk, walking towards the farm was interesting, as a conversation brewed, most at Dawn's expense.

"Why do you eat so much?" Dusk asked with a brow raised, as Dawn had been talking about food for most of the trip.

"I dunno, it’s probably because of my species, but I think it's mostly from Celestia. I first got to the castle when I was younger and every maid and butler saw that I was really skinny and made so much good food that I became a little tubby bunny after my first month."

"And now you're curvy and pretty fit, so you have had moderation now?" Barb pitched in.

"Pretty much, but if some pony offers food and it looks good then I'll try it. I'm not a picky eater." Dawn replied. Dusk just nods as the two got to a large apple orchard. A large chatter was picking up close by as they entered.

"Sweet Apple acres huh, they sure got the family-friendly vibe going on." Dusk says as they walk into the orchard seeing rows upon rows of apple trees, far as the eye can see there was just nothing but apples.

"This place is super huge!" Dawn shouts in complete surprise, attracting the attention of a stallion with a Stetson hat.

"Ya like what ya see, huh? Howdy there, I'm Applejack." Dawn grinned and looked towards the orange coated stallion with a blonde mane and tail. He wore a pair of denim jeans with a white shirt along with a orange plaid long sleeve shirt.

"Hi I'm Dawn, that's Dusk, and Barb. Sorry if we're being a bother, but Princess Celestia sent us to get things ready for her visit later this evening, it's just a formality to make sure everything is fine when she arrives."

"Well shoot, that's great. If ya like, do ya wanna try to the food we're servin' at the festival? It’s all handmade and perfect for the occasion." As Dawn was about nod to his offer when Dusk stopped her.

"I'm sorry sir, but we can't stay, we're busy checking other places to get the princess's visit ready." Dusk said blatantly.

"C’mon Dusky, it's just sampling it's not like we're gonna stay here the whole day." Dawn complained as Applejack smiled. He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her towards a commotion that has been going since they entered.

"Shoot if yer hungry we got plenty for ya ta sample, sorry if it's gonna be a little crowded since we're actually in the middle of a family reunion."

"That's too bad, maybe when you're not too busy we could swing on by. Highly doubtful though." Dusk mumbles, but just as he was about to reach Dawn's hand, he saw ponies happily cheering either dancing or conversing with one another. Dawn's eyes widen as she saw the many family members of Applejack.

"Applejack there ya are! Yer missin' the reunion!" Looking down Dawn spotted a colt, he looked around 10 years old, his coat a soft, light yellow, with a red messy mane. The young colt wore almost the same attire as Applejack, but except he had a green short sleeved shirt along with a solid red cap. "Whoa, who are they?" But the colt only looked at Dawn, curiosity in his eyes as they went up and down the young princess, yet Dawn stood there smiling.

"Applebuck, it ain't polite ta stare." Applejack nudged, glaring at the young colt.

"S-sorry, she just looks...out of place." Applebuck said bashfully, tearing his eye away by staring at the ground.

"Sorry if mah little bro is bein' rude, but ah'm also curious at what ya are." Applejack said with a blush from embarrassment.

"I get that a lot, don't worry, anyway I'm a human. It's a little hard to describe since I, myself, don't know much and don't worry I won't bite." The small colt approached Dawn smiling, flashing her canines.

"Our family would love ta meet ya, c’mon. Oh, and ah'm Applebuck, the youngest of my Apple tree." Applebuck said with a thumb at his chest and a proud grin.

Dawn giggled and formally introduced herself too, "I'm Dawn Luna Knight, it's a pleasure to meet you too."

"It's cute seein' mah brother bein' curious about Dawn, so y'all friends?" Applejack asks both Dusk and Barb.

"Yeah, we've been friends since we were kids. Dawn's always been friendly to everyone, she's known to be like that. Hell, she's pretty good with kids too. Sometimes even playing with them at the park, usually hide-n-seek." Dusk said, reminiscing about the times he and Dawn played as kids in the castle grounds.

"That's cute, is she like a child at heart?" Applejack asked, pulling Dusk out of his thoughts, a bad habit he’s been having lately.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Unfortunately most ponies didn’t really talk to her when she was younger because of how she looked, that didn't stop her though. She just kept going until she finally got friends like me." Dusk said with a sigh, the thoughts of Dawn returned to his mind.

"And so far I've been a horrible friend to you, I'll make it up to you once this whole thing blows over." Dusk mumbles to himself.

"Hey, Dusk are you okay?" Barb asked, as she tugged on Dusk's pant leg.

"Huh, oh yeah I'm fine. Let's just get this over with." Walking towards the festivities, Dusk spotted Dawn happily talking to the relatives of the Apples, though they didn't know they were speaking to a princess they thought she was a joy to be around. Something most high class ponies would beg to differ, but seeing Dawn happily smiling and talking to the ponies on the farm made Dusk smile as it was a nice change of pace.

"Mah goodness, yer a joy ta be around, and just the cutest little mare ta speak ta. Ya must have stallions scrambling, just ta speak ta ya." One of Applejack's relatives said with a laugh as Dawn smiled a bit.

"Thank you, most ponies usually don't care for me. They think I'm irritable and my appetite should be like a proper lady, but screw that I'm eating till I'm full and then some if I like it." Dawn said with a slap of the leg and a hearty laugh. The ponies surrounding Dawn let out laughs as they seem to enjoy Dawn's presence.

"If a mare likes eatin', then that's okay with me. Ah’d marry a mare who can eat as much as me." One of the older stallions said with a laugh making Dawn giggle. "Heck if ah was 50 years younger ah'd speak ta ya everyday just ta get a kiss." Dawn surprised the old stallion and kissed his cheek making him blush and the crowd erupted in a laugh.

"Bold young mare, ya are, just don't let mah wife catch me flirtin' with such a pretty young thang." He laughs once more making Dawn happily smile.

After good hour of cracking jokes and participating in the reunion's events, Dawn felt happy that she was out of the stuffy castle she called home. Though she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty that Dusk was forced to be with her during the reunion, she also felt a little guilty that she had barged in a family event that she wasn't a member of.

"Hey Applejack, is it really cool if we're here? I mean we just sorta appeared and I feel weird that we're interrupting an event meant for family only." Dawn said, scratching her head and looking away. Applejack chuckles and shakes his head smiling slightly.

"It's fine Dawn, ah invited ya. So go ahead have fun, even if ya ain't family, every one of mah relatives like ya a lot. And heck ya beat every stallion in the pie eating contest. Ah’ll bet the Canterlot namby, pamby, ponies don't have this much fun in parties like this huh?" Applejack said mockingly. Dawn giggled a little and nodded.

"Yeah they're all focused on looking their best that don't even recognize that a party is suppose to be fun." Applejack smiled and nodded at her wisdom. "Anyway I just wanted to know is all. Dusk, Barb, and I gotta go. We still have a lot more places to check over make sure everything is good for Celestia's arrival." Applejack looked a little upset but smiled.

"Well ah hope ya get things ready for the princess, see y'all later." Applejack said with a wave of his hat.

"Bye everyone!" Dawn shouts, receiving a wide spread “Awww” throughout the audience, but give their farewells since they did enjoy her presence.

Smiling, Dawn caught up with her friends at the entrance, as the two seemed to be looking over the list of preparations.

"Next thing is a weather check, the forecast for Celestia's visit is to be clear with no cloud in the sky." Dusk let out a growl as Dawn and Barb looked up to see a fairly cloudy sky.

"I can't believe the weather ponies didn't get the damn memo and clear this out!" Dusk shouted in complete anger.

"Hey look somepony's tail is sticking out of the cloud, maybe they could tell us what's up with cloud filled sky." Barb points out, making Dusk let out a annoyed grunt.

"Hey you up there! The one sleeping on the cloud, you awake!?" Dawn shouts as the pony's body shifts. "Wake up dude ya know where we can find the weather captain so we could order them to get off their lazy ass and clear the skies?"

"I'll get to it sooner or later, just let me relax a bit. Plus, the princess isn't scheduled to be here for awhile anyway so I got plenty of time." The pony said lazily and rolled over onto his stomach.

"You've got to be kidding me, it takes at least a few hours to clear one section of the sky, and clearing the entire town will take a least a day. I'm guessing you're a lazy weather captain."Dusk said with slight venom. The cyan colored stallion let out a soft chuckle before letting out a hysterical laugh.

"Hahaha oh boy you have no idea who you're talking to, I can clear this whole sky in under ten seconds." He boasted.

"Yeah, right, I'd like to see you try. I’ll see to it that your superior hears about this." Dusk says shaking his head. Just as Dusk stopped shaking his head, a rainbow trail passed by the three as the clouds were all destroyed one by one each only taking half a second to dissipate.

"Ten...seconds...flat." Both Barb and Dusk had their mouth's agape surprised by the cyan pony's speed.

"That was awesome! Did you two see that! This guy just few by us with ease and clouds poof away I can't believe that he had that kind of speed!" Dawn exclaimed. The cyan pony chuckled crossing his arms as he floated above them.

"So what're your names? Mines Rainbow Blitz." The cyan colored stallion wore a pair of black jeans with a short sleeved baby blue jacket underneath that was an undershirt. His mane was short in length and rainbow flurry of colors that looked really cool if looked at it long enough.

"Dawn Luna Knight." She happily says with admiration.

"Dusk Shine." He says with an annoyed sigh.

"Barb." She happily says with a smile.

"Cool, cool, anyway you're here for the princess visit? You guys from Canterlot huh?"

"Yeah, we're just here to oversee everything in Ponyville. Only the best for the princess."

"Ya know even if I'm a little lazy doesn't mean I wouldn't clear the skies for Celestia. Anyway no clouds will appear in the sky at all, promise." He puts his hand on his heart before landing down on the ground.

“Alright, I’ll trust you. And I will stick with what I said about your superior, you did good.” Dusk said, his distrust slowly melting.

"Anyway, you guys look cool enough why don't we hang out later. Hell, I could show you more moves Dawn. You're pretty interested in my speed." Blitz said with a grin. Dawn gave a giggle and nodded and with a mighty flap Rainbow flew off leaving the three in complete silence.

"So how you enjoying our outing from the castle?" She asks Dusk as they walk off.

"Still an annoying adventure that shouldn't have even happened in the first place. Let's just get this over with."

"Fine mister grumpykins, let's keep at it." Dawn said skipping, as she, Dusk, and Barb continued on.

"Ya know what we should do when we get back to Canterlot! Have a party! Remember when we were kids and we'd usually just ask the chef and butlers to bring plates of food and I'd usually finish off anything on the plate. We should do that again!" Dawn said as she hopped in front of them. Dusk let out a chuckle.

"Sure. After this I promise." Dusk said with a nod. Dawn let out a squee and giggled.

"Let's go to the next place which is the stage and decor of the town square!" Dawn said, taking his hand and Barb’s. Dawn happily ran towards town hall and bursted through the doors. As they did, Dawn spotted a white coated unicorn mare, her mane curly and a bright dark elegant purple mane made her stand out brilliantly amongst the decor.

What she wore was stunning in a simplified way, a long black skirt that hugged her sides in every complete way with a white short sleeved blouse. She had a pair of red glasses on her as she held a clipboard close to her chest.

"Wow she's cute." Barb happily admitted as she looked at the mare in front of the three.

"Uh, do you happen to be the decorations coordinator? We're here at Princess Celestia's request." When she turned, Dawn and Barb were both astonished by the mare's beauty, Dusk Shine on the other hand didn't seem to care all that much.

"Princess Celestia, you say? Why yes, I am the coordinator. Only the very best can be shown to our benevolent princess." She says with a smile.

"Yeah, of course. It is an important job to show appreciation for the princess. Anyway we just came to see how things were going, if there's anything out of place." Dusk said hurriedly. The mare nods and looks at Dawn who still had her mouth agape.

"My goodness and who pray tell are you or more uncouth it is to say, what are you." She asked

"Oh u-uh I'm Dawn Luna Knight. Imma human what's your name?" Dawn said, slurring some of her words.

"Oh me and my rudeness, your sudden appearances just made me lose my manners. My name is Rarity." Rarity said with a flourish.

"I'm Dusk Shine." Dusk says looking around the building.

"H-hello I-I'm Barb." The young dragoness says smiling. Rarity turns back to Dawn and circles her making Dawn a little weary of the mare.

"Is something wrong?" She asks

"Hmmm? Oh no, I'm just looking you over. You have such a unique body, a mare of your measurements would surely be able to wear something both mundane and stylish along the lines of prestige. You just have this air of being someone who can fit perfectly in a small village, yet close to nobility, as if you were raised to it." Rarity said with a giggle and smiled.

"I'd say you're almost right. Most of my life was spent just going from orphanage to orphanage, that is until an orphanage in Canterlot took me in." Dawn spoke so nonchalantly about being an orphan that she didn't notice Rarity slightly upset look, almost if she was scolding herself for asking such an inappropriate question.

"I'm awfully sorry for my outburst. I should've never said a thing." Rarity looks down apologetically before Dawn hugs her smiling as she does.

"You don't know much about me, so it's okay, plus I could never stay mad at anyone. That just isn't me." Dawn said, quietly in bliss as she held her. Rarity gave her a small smile and a giggle before stepping away.

"You're like a calmer female version of Bubble Berry." Rarity said with joy. Dawn tilted her head confused.

"Well I've surveyed everything in the Town hall and I could say that this is fit for the princess's arrival. I'm sure she'll be impressed when she sees it herself." Dusk informed as he approached both Dawn and Rarity. "It was nice meeting you Ms. Rarity."

"Oh it was a delight, listen if you plan on staying longer in Ponyville be sure to come over to my boutique, I have many fabulous, fashionable, and affordable selections for you, Dawn and your drooling friend there." Rarity said with a small giggle as Barb wiped her mouth.

"We'll do that." Dawn said as the three turn Dawn continues skipping happily admiring the new ponies she met so far, all of them extremely friendly and happily inviting them to where they came from. It wasn't often normal ponies would come and talk to her, where they either didn't know what she was or were too afraid to speak to her because of her given title. Either way it was a relief for a girl like her to finally be treated normally.

"So where to next, oh clipboard manager?" She asked with a laugh.

"Well, Miss Friendlylots, the music for the event, it's near here actually." He mentions as he walks towards the outskirts of town.

"Why are we leaving town?" Barb asked, noticing the lack of buildings.

"Well, we gotta go out of town, the music is composed by birds and the composer is an animal tamer. Whoever the pony we're looking for is, must have birds, animals or anything remotely different around that pony." As they all continued walking towards the outskirts of town, Dawn began hearing a soothing sounds of a song. Looking around the area Dawn looked towards a yellow coated mare orchestrating a flock of birds in tune.

"Uh, hello do you happen to be the composer?" She asks as the Pegasus gasped and turned, scaring the birds away, as the mare looked at Dawn.

"Oh, oh my. Y-yes." She says shyly making Dawn stand there in complete silence as the Pegasus wouldn't say another thing.

"Well we're here on behalf of Princess Celestia, and we're wondering if you have any songs you'd be performing at the celebration. Just as a tip is all." The mare nods and looks at her once more curiously tilting her head.

"Is something the matter?" She asks.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to stare, I just never knew what you were is all." She says blushing looking down scolding herself.

"Uh it's fine, look I'm human and my name Dawn Luna Knight. What's your name?" She asks

"Fluttershy." She mentions quietly as she rubs her arm in awkward silence.

"Um could you speak up?" Dusk tried.

"Fluttershy." She mentions once more only a tiny bit louder.

"Rrrright, anyway as Dawn explained we're here to oversee things for Princess Celestia. Um do you have any particular song you'll be playing for her arrival?" Dusk asked, but again she didn't say a word. The silence was thick and not a word more was said.

"Well this is getting us nowhere." Dawn mumbled as Barb stood by her.

"Maybe a small push will-" Barb was quickly quieted as the mare who was quiet around both Dusk and Dawn now in front of Barb's face.

"Uh can I help you?" Barb asks.

"You're a baby dragoness aren't you! Oh I've never seen a creature like you before, your scales look so bright and shiny it's so cute!" Fluttershy happily admits with a squee.

"Y-yeah I lived with my friend there Dusk, he raised me since I was egg. Well he hatched me too, w-with magic! Not sitting on me like a bird." She mentions with an awkward chuckle. “I can tell you more when we have the chance.” Without a second thought Fluttershy took Barb into her arms hugging her.

"Well now we know how to get this girl to speak up, just push Barb over to him." Dawn mentions as the mare hugged Barb.

"Well it's been fun miss, but we really have to go." Dusk then manages to get Barb out of her grasps as the three began walking towards the library.

"Wait! There's still so much I don't know about baby dragons, like your favorite foods, best times for nap time, and if you'd get along with other animals!" She shouts as she catches up with the three, Barb who seemed to get use to the attention happily climbing onto Dawn's arms as she began chatting with the mare.

"Well if you wanna know more I guess we can talk now. I'll be happy to provide you with answers to any of your questions." She said giggling a bit as she begins telling Fluttershy the many "facts" of baby dragons. Which were basically bullshit that she'd provide that made it believable to ponies who never dealt with dragons before.

Dusk who seemed to get annoyed by Barb's constant answers stayed quiet and looked forward.

Later...

"Well this our stop!" Dusk happily says as he takes Barb in his arms.

"Oh bother, and things were going so well. Um, maybe we can talk more Barb and I'm interested in your species too, Dawn. Goodbye." The Pegasus mare turned, but as she did Dawn felt a little guilty and took her hand.

"Maybe we could talk a little longer, it's just the library, if we don't yell then it'll be alright." Dawn's perky smile made Fluttershy giggle slightly before nodding while Dusk seemed extremely upset even by his standards, though it was turned away by both Barb and Dawn as they didn't care if he was. It was a new adventure for the two and they were going to enjoy it. As they all entered the library the cover of darkness was around.

"I'll go turn all the lights." Dusk mentions as he fumbles around in the darkness and flipping the switch near the entrance, Dawn's nose was touching a pink coated stallion's nose. His smile large and almost mind controlling.

"Surprise!" He shouts happily as he bounces around Dawn. Most of the townsfolk were in the library, looking at the three new ponies in town. "I saw you guys enter town and I just thought what would a day be if I didn't introduce myself and threw a little party for you all!"

"You did this for us? Awww you're so thoughtful." Dawn happily admits with a giggle.

"Of course! It's a huge town meet n greet. And I'm your host Bubblini Davinci Berry, or Bubble Berry for short. What's your name?" He asks smiling.

"I'm Dawn Luna Knight and those are my friends, Barb and Dusk Shine." She points towards the stallion and baby dragoness. As the two wave making Bubble smile and nod.

"Oh you're a really different looking pony, maybe you'll enjoy talking to everybody c'mon I'll introduce you!" He mentions as he takes Dawn's hand and continuing on towards the party epicenter.

Dancing, talking, and eating were many things Dawn did at the party in the library. The night ended so perfectly that Dawn felt as if it wouldn't end, but sadly everything has an ending and today would come soon.

Passing through the many ponies in the library she caught up with Barb who was walking towards the back room of the library.

"This was amazing huh?" Barb asked Dawn as she smiled.

"Yup yup yup! I wish it didn't have to end though, I wish it could go on a little longer. Everybody in town was so nice I just wish it would continue to be that way when we get back in Canterlot."

"Still hung up on being made fun of back home?" She asks

"A little even if I'm a princess there are still ponies who believe that I'm just freak and nothing more. They say I should just leave the city, I know I should just ignore them but it's hard when you constantly hear it."

"It's even harder being a girl when you try fighting huh? Most of the recruits wouldn't dare fight you cuz they think you'll end up crying." Barb say patting her on the leg. Dawn sadly nods and looks down.

"I just wish they wouldn't treat me like that, I could handle myself and I don't need anyone looking after me. Sorry if I'm getting like this but you're like my little sister, I could tell you anything and you would listen not like Dusk who's too busy to even hang out with me or tell me what's wrong with him." She nods and looks over to the raging party as she pushes Dawn forward.

"Go and party for a bit longer, the celebration doesn't start for another half hour." Smiling sadly she continued on and walk through everyone. She pushed open the door to the entrance of the library and exited.

Dawn walked over to a small open field to see the moon high in the sky, her hands behind her head as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Is being independent something I really want? Should I just be somepony who depends on someone? Am I just kidding myself on who I am?" Dawn asked herself, she couldn't stop crying her tears kept going as she heard a drop next to her.

"Hey is something wrong?" She turns to see Bubble Berry slightly frowning as he looks Dawn over.

"Huh oh n-no I'm fine." She mentions wiping her tears away and sniffling a bit.

"Hey cmon you don't need to hide anything." Bubble said smiling at her.

"It's nothing really, just thinking about life choices, ya know like most ponies." She sighs as Bubble nudges her slightly, making her turn.

"I heard you talk with Barb and I think you shouldn't worry about other ponies. I like you because you're fun to be around. It's great to have somepony like you around." He mentions with a smile.

"Really? Thanks, it's good to hear that I'm liked. But it's not anything about being liked, it's more like my mom, my sister everyone thinks I'm just not a girl. What does it mean to be a girl. Honestly, I'm not all that girly, I like fighting, I like eating foods that are fattening, and I like wearing whatever just to get me through the day. I dunno if I'll find the answer, but I hope I'll find it soon." Dawn says with determination. He smiles and nods before looking over to the library.

"Oh hey ponies are going to town square! We should go!" He happily says taking Dawn's hand and the two continue towards town square.

Dawn looked around the town to see the many ponies she met so far, Applejack, a great stallion who was perky and happy making her giggle a bit, he was of course a great friend. Rainbow Blitz, the highflier and awesome looking stallion who was great to be around.

Rarity, the beautiful fashionista a mare who's just sweet and friendly even if she was a bit like the Canterlot pony. Fluttershy, the cute, soft spoken mare even if Dawn didn't know her that much she could say one thing about her, beautiful.

And finally Bubble Berry, a perky and hyperactive party planner who just likes having a good time even to those he doesn't even know. Just then, trombones and trumpets began to play as ponies looked up to the balcony ready to see the princess and Dawn to see her mother.

"Ladies and gentlecolts, please welcome Princess Celestia!" The curtains open revealing the dark blue color stallion from Dawn's nightmare, backing away from the area she looked up to see the worst possible stallion she'd even see.

His dark smile curled as he step forward laughing manically almost straight out a hero action movie, though it wasn't a movie and what Dawn was seeing was something and someone she feared the most.

"Hello, my dear subjects, many of you have probably not heard of me." He says happily as the ponies began cowering in fear, she knew that fear and ever since she was little she still had that fear.

"N-nights-shade C-Cres-cent." Dawn began to shake out of fear as the stallion smiled and appeared next to her as ponies around her ran away in complete fear.

"Dawn, it's a pleasure to meet you outside of your nightmares. And here I thought it would take a lot longer to even see you. Ahh, I remember the nightmares I gave you as a child and I'm sure I can give you even more, it'll be such a delight." Dawn cried as she felt the same fear from when she was a child. The feeling of isolation and the feeling of having no one with her during the difficult period.

"Leave her alone!" Dusk shouts as his magic manages to hit Nightshade making him growl as he looked towards Dusk.

"Ugh, you little peasant! Do not come in between me and my godchild!" He shouts as he disappears from view leaving the shocked girl hugging herself trying to calm her mind down.

"Dawn! Are you okay?" He asks as he brush the hair from her face, Dawn looked towards him tears in her eyes as Dusk backed away seeing her drastic change in eye color. The sickly green back once more along with the purple haze. Waving his hand a bit before pointing towards her eyes making them turn back to normal she approached her and hugged her.

"I promised that no one will call you freak ever again, and I'm keeping that promise." Dusk gets Dawn up to her feet as the ponies they met during their day in Ponyville came towards the two.

"What in the heck was that! Did you know him Dawn?" Rainbow asks, Applejack punched Rainbow glaring at him.

"Don't be askin' stupid questions like those ya idiot! Sorry for Rainbow, he just doesn't know when ta keep his mouth shut." Applejack apologized to Dawn, but she didn't respond and looked down.

"Is she going to be okay?" Fluttershy asks with worry.

"I'm not sure Dawn stay in the library, I'm going to beat Nightshade I promise." Dusk said, holding her hand tightly. Dawn nodded and was walked back to the library with the boys she met at each of the highlights of her visit. They all seemed worried about her wanted her to be okay.

After leaving Dawn back at the library, the six ponies who took her there left, hoping to find a way to end the reign of Nightshade.

Dawn felt as if her nightmare had became a reality, Nightshade was a true terror that Dawn has felt since she was a little girl. Her sanity only protected by another, unknown, being in her dreams.

The library was barren of life, with only trash from the party that had started only a few hours ago. Dawn walked around the library and felt an incredible feeling of dread, she knew Nightshade was powerful, but still didn't know that he was what Dusk was studying. Dawn approached a couch in the living quarters of the library and laid down, as she did her eyes slowly closed as darkness crept around her.

"I thought you knew better than to sleep, child." Nightshade said with a laugh.

"Where are you!? Show yourself you coward!" Dawn shouts as she turns all around in the dream.

"A nightmare can appear anywhere, my dear, I am everywhere and I am GOD in the dream realm!" A thunderous laugh was heard as the realm began shaking as she tried running. Her footsteps were heard loud and clear, as if it were like an endless hall, yet there was nothing but darkness. Dawn continued running, her breaths becoming shallower and shallower until she finally stop to a invisible wall, hitting it hard and making her stumble back.

She laid there, motionless as she just wanted Nightshade to leave her alone. She couldn't handle having the pony who tormented her be with her controlling every possible obstacle in the dream she was having. It was more like a living nightmare and the only way out was waking up.

"Waking up will only reveal you to even more nightmares, my dear. I have a physical form now, not just something you can wish and dream away. I know you, Dawn Luna Knight. The little filly afraid of seeing the truth that is in front of her, a being who has never belonged here. A freak is what you are!" Dawn's tears were the only thing heard in the room as they fell from her cheek and trickled down onto the ground.

Just as Dawn was giving into the words Nightshade had said to her, the mysterious being she had stopped talking to when she was younger, appeared. The silhouette was of a stallion as it approached the figure, he had dark foggy-like body parts. It approached Dawn and brought a silhouetted shape forwards, bringing it closer to Dawn. As she looked at it, her eyes turned into sickly green shade and the eerie, purple like mist around her eyes came back.

Running her hand over her eyes and sniffling a bit, she grasped the hand and was pulled off the ground, slowly the shadowy like silhouette transformed into a Naginata. She grasped the pole arm with all her might and she had fought back her tears.

"I'm not a little girl anymore! You can't hurt me! You can't! I'm not afraid of your lies and I'm not afraid of what you are. Leave me alone!" She shouted with a stomp of her foot and the dark inky area around her began retreating the darkness being replaced with the white floors with a midnight blue, starry sky above them.

Nightshade appeared from the darkness and glared, his eyes burning with hatred at Dawn.

"All you had to do was accept it! But no he had to ruin it, just like last time! HE is what is wrong with the world, HE doesn't deserve you!" He shouts at her with the pain of old wounds. Gripping her weapon, Dawn charged forward, keeping the blade lower to the ground and slashing upwards as Nightshade backstepped, yet the attack still scratched Nightshade's face. Blue smoke simmered out of the wound and he clutched his cheek.

"Agh! I am your nightmare! I will always be your eternal nightmare!" He shouted. Dawn began breathing grew lighter, she knew that Nightshade had no grip on her and with every acceptance, he'd grow stronger. But no more, she was going direct her own destiny even if it meant beating her fears.

She rushed towards Nightshade with her staff and with a powerful jab, she thrusted the pole arm forward, impaling Nightshade in the gut. As she did every single bad memory began pouring out of Nightshade's body bombarding her with the hoard of past nightmares.

She cringed and closed her eyes before feeling her chin being grasped by an unfamiliar hand and pushed forward to see every possible memory. To leave the past behind, she had to confront it, the silhouetted stallion knew that and made her realize that. She steeled herself as she looked forward and stared fear in its eyes.

Slowly Nightshade began losing form as his body sank down into a smoke, pulling out the nagi, it disippated from her hand and she saw true form of Nightshade was an alicorn, like her mother. He was almost as tall as her, his mane a bleak azure and his coat a lightest of dark blue. He wore a black crown and looked absolutely tired, his outfit looked like a military outfit without the cleanliness and pristineness, it was dirty and tattered.

"Thank you." He says smiling as the dream disappears as Dawn woke up to see herself floating on air before dropping down with the stallions and mares she met in Ponyville.

"Dawn! What're you doing here?" Dusk asks as he runs up to her and gives her hand.

"Where, where am I?" She asked, scanning the surroundings.

"In the ruins of the old castle of the princess, how'd you get here?"

"I don't remember, it was all a blur." She mentions, rubbing her head as she looked up to the guys and girls in the group. All six of them sporting new accessories. "Oh hey cute necklaces."

"Cmon they aren't cute, they’re cool." Rainbow mentions blushing a bit.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend your ego." She laughed, looking down before she felt a hand on her shoulder to see them all smile a laugh a bit. Dawn looked up to see her mom approach the stallion on the floor. She leaned forward and limped a little as the stallion was the same one she saw in her dream.

"Artemis, I'm so happy you're okay." Celestia says crying as she hugs the stallion’s head, tears welled up in the stallion's eyes as he buried his face into Celestia's shoulder.

"I-I'm s-sorry C-Celly. I never meant to hurt anyone." He sobs as Celestia brushed his mane and shushed him.

"It's okay sweetheart, you're okay, and I'm happy you're safe." Everyone in group looked at the two and brushed off tears of their own, Rainbow looked as if he was trying not to cry, but failed as Dawn heard a few suppressed sobs along with Applejack who had his hat down crying a bit, Dawn smiled as she saw Bubble Berry along with both Fluttershy and Rarity who were openly crying, you and Dusk looked at each other and smiled.