Chapter 1: Sudden Horrors
Fog Density: 1
Shadows danced all around me, taunting me, mocking me... I had to make them stop, make them disappear. The others looked at me curiously, I could care less. As long as the shadows stopped, it's worth it... I swung wildly and they stopped... but the shadows were still there. They were still mocking me, calling me a murderer, criminal. The darkness was too much. It started closing in on me. The others were already gone, having become shadows themselves. Soon I'll join them. Soon... I'll...
"Do not lose faith my child, for there is always a second chance, but for now, thou must awaken..."
I awoke with a cold sweat and panicked breaths. What had even happened? What was that dream? No, that wasn't a dream, that was a nightmare. A terrible, terrible nightmare.
I groaned to myself, "What's happening to me..."
I got up out of bed and went to do my usual routine of brushing my teeth, dressing for work, eating breakfast... you know what I mean. I looked at myself in the mirror before going out to observe myself in full. My name is Storm Rush, and I'm the pegasus you call on when you need a quick take down. I'm your average royal guard for Princess Celestia and - even though it's an honour - it's quite the dull and boring job. I'll be honest, when I joined the royal guard I thought there was going to be a LOT more action than what I have to do right now. In fact, I tend to get to do absolutely nothing at all in my current position as a castle guard. I'm hoping one of these days I'll get to do something, anything really. For now, though, I'm stuck on guard duty which I dread every day I go to work.
Speaking of which, on my way to work I noticed something... odd about today's current weather. I never noticed it before, but there's this... I suppose fog would be the correct term. Something feels a bit off about it, though, I'm not sure what. Were we even scheduled to have fog in the first place? I'll have to check that later, but for now, duty calls.
Celestia walked into her sister's chambers, seeing her tired form.
"Lulu... please, tell me what's happening, you usually aren't like this in the morning. These past few weeks you've secluded yourself to your bedroom... I'm worried about you dear sister."
Celestia's sister, Luna, looked up to her apologetically.
"I'm sorry, dear sister, but... there are so many nightmares. So many ponies to protect. I don't know what's going on, Celly, but I've been trying so hard to discover the root of this problem. Unfortunately, I have yet to get anywhere in my search..."
Celestia embraced Luna and said, "Lulu... you should have come to me for help earlier! I can aid you in your search, but from now on you have to stop stressing yourself out so much. If our subjects really are having as many nightmares as you say... then there's nothing you can do for them except defeat the root of this problem. For now, though, rest... I'll take over from here."
Luna turned to Celestia with a smile on her face, "Thank you, and I'm sorry for not coming to you earlier, but realize that if I, watcher of everypony's dreams, cannot find the source of these nightmares, then you may have an even lesser chance of finding it."
"I understand, however, it can't hurt to try, can it?"
They smiled to each other and hugged for a bit before Luna drifted away to sleep. Celestia put her sister on her bed and left the room. Could this nightmare problem be related to this fog that came out of no where a few weeks ago? Celestia thought to herself for a minute before deciding the best course of action was to wait until both her and her sister could work together on this problem. For now, however, duty calls, and she went back to her daily routines. Though, this fog has really been bothering her... as if she were missing something. Could there be more to this fog than she originally thought?
"So Storm, how are those nightmares treating you?"
I looked to Stalwart Aegis, my partner, and told him, "To be honest, not that well. Last night, I felt completely hopeless, surrounded by shadows that were mocking me and I struck back, like an animal forced into a corner. That pretty much did nothing and just made the everything worse. I hated it."
Aegis had a mildly surprised look on his face, kinda like he knew what I was talking about.
He chuckled a bit, "Strange, I had a similar dream last night. It involved some creepy shadows while I was talking to a few buddies of mine, including you. The shadows just stood there menacingly, as if they were the evil spirits in all of us or something. Weird thing is, though, your shadow was HUGE! It was the creepiest of them all in fact! You got any dark secrets I should know about?"
He nudged me and I smirked back, "Yes I want to murder everyone and become the emperor of the world."
We shared a laugh before resuming our positions, on the look out for anyone or anything suspicious.
You deserve better than this...
"Hmm? You say something Aegis?"
Aegis turned to me with a curious look in his eye, "What? No. Can you read my thoughts or something?"
He had a small smirk on his face but I could tell that he was speaking the truth. Was I just hearing things? Was this fog getting to me? Wait a second, has Aegis even noticed this fog?
I turned to ask him, "Hey, have you noticed this fog yet? Was there fog scheduled and I didn't know about it?"
"What are you talking about? There's no-"
He stopped to look around, squinted a bit, and gasped in surprise. After chuckling a bit, he looked up and around, I looked too. The fog was - for whatever reason - a bit thicker than before and I thought for a bit. Was the fog getting thicker?
It's all in your mind they'll say...
What the-
Aegis nudged my shoulder, "Well I'll be damned, there is a bit of fog isn't there? Where did all this come from I wonder... there wasn't any fog scheduled. In fact, it's supposed to be a nice and sunny day."
"Really now?" I asked in disbelief, "This morning it wasn't this thick... what's going on?"
"Heck if I know... let's just continue doing our jobs, maybe the captain can tell us something about this."
This fog... the nightmare... that voice in my head... it doesn't make any sense. I had a nightmare about shadows, Aegis had a nightmare about shadows, and now this fog is getting a bit thicker. Was it all connected some how? No... maybe it's all a coincidence or maybe it all really is connected. Does it really matter right now? For now, duty calls and I return to my position, watching for suspicion.
Remember who you are and where you come from. People love you, they need you as much as you need them. They might not show their appreciation, but know that deep down - in their hearts - they love you, just as much as you love them.
Chapter 2: Discussion of The Future
Fog Density: 2.5
"Hey, have you noticed the fog outside?"
After Aegis and I were done with our shift, we went to get lunch with some friends of ours who were also done with their shifts. I decided that, before going to the captain, we should ask if anyone knew anything about this fog. So far, we've had no luck but that's okay. We still have the captain to go to. The trot to the captain's office isn't that long from the cafeteria anyways, so there's no harm in asking.
Gale Breaker tilted her head to us and said, "There's fog outside?"
Blast Pressure looked outside the windows and said, "There shouldn't be any fog... at least I don't think there should. To my knowledge, it wasn't scheduled. I suppose they must've changed their mind about it or something?"
Gale went outside to check even though you could clearly see there was fog outside from the windows. I suppose she wanted to be absolutely sure. I turned to the last friend of ours who joined us, Elegant Flow, and saw that she was very tired.
I wondered about this before asking her, "Hey, Flow, you okay? You look exhausted, something happen?"
Flow looked to me with no expression, "No... it's just... I've been having some terrible nightmares. They've been keeping me up at night. Do you think... do you think something's wrong with me?"
Aegis chuckled a bit, "Nah, not really other than you being really tired. Storm here and I have been having some nightmares too you know. We think something's going on and we're going to ask the captain if he knows anything about it. You wanna join us?"
Surprised, Flow turned to me to ask, "You guys are having nightmares as well? That makes... what ten of us or something?"
I looked a Flow as if she were crazy, "Ten?"
"Yeah, ten."
"Okay, there's definitely something going on here..."
Gale returned suddenly and told us, "Huh... there really is fog outside! And here I thought it was just the windows... So, what'd I miss?"
Blast spoke up and told her, "Storm and Aegis had nightmares just like Flow and both Storm and Aegis are going to ask the captain about the fog."
"Well I'm coming with!" Exclaimed Gale.
Aegis cheered, "The more the merrier!"
Flow joined in, "I'll come too. Got nothing better to do anyways..."
Blast hummed to himself, "I guess I'll go as well. Not sure if the captain will know anything though."
I smiled, "Alrighty then, we'll ask the captain if he knows anything about this. But for now, let's finish our food."
Gale returned to her seat and we all continued to finish our meals. I wondered to myself, there are ten of us who have been having nightmares? Could all of this really be connected to the fog? I really hope it's just a coincidence, but who knows. Maybe I should ask Flow about the nightmares she had along with everyone else who's been having nightmares.
Is it even worth it?
What? I looked up to everyone around the table. They were all enjoying their meals without a word. More voices in my head?
Confused, and wanting to get all of this off my mind, I asked Flow, "Hey, Flow, what kind of nightmares have you been having anyways? What's keeping you up at night, hmm?
Flow smiled at me, "Well... it's going to sound stupid but... I've been having terrible nightmares about shadows."
Surprised, I turned to Aegis, and he turned to me.
"Okay, there's definitely something going on here," I told everyone, "let's finish our meals and get to the captain as quickly as possible alright?"
Everyone shook their head in agreement.
Aegis whispered to me, "You think... you think this is connected to the fog somehow?"
I turned to him and whispered back, "Maybe... I hope not but... you never know right?"
We all finished our meals and, with that, headed off to the captain's office.
Captain Ardent Shield was working on various things, from papers to schedules, until he was interrupted by the entrance of Princess Celestia.
"Princess Celestia!" He exclaimed before going to kneel.
"That will not be necessary, captain. I'm just here to tell you of a certain... problem that has been troubling my sister and I."
Shield looked back up to her, "And what might this problem be, your majesty?"
Celestia closed her eyes and thought to herself for a moment before saying, "My subjects have been plagued with nightmares, of what we are not sure. I'm here to ask for you help in our search. See if you can send your troops to investigate the problem in nearby cities and gather as much information as possible."
"Of course, your majesty, I will look into right away."
Celestia smiled, "Thank you, my little pony, I'm sure you will do well."
Shield looked as Princess Celestia left and turned back to his work.
"Oh, and one last thing, Shield," Celestia asked, "If you can find any connection between this fog and the nightmares, then report this immediately to my sister and I."
Shield stood there confused, "Fog? What fog?"
He turned around waiting for an answer, but Celestia had already left. He went outside to look where she went only to see her off into the distance going back to the castle. That wasn't the only thing he noticed. While looking, he realized that there really was a fog. A faint, yet still existent fog. He grumbled to himself before returning to his work, new plans in his mind, and preparing to investigate this nightmare situation.
Aegis and I were walking towards the captain's office with Gale, Blast, and Flow.
I nudged Aegis, "Is it just me or is the fog getting even thicker?"
"What? Seems the same slight fog to me... though, now that I think about it, it is a bit thicker than before, isn't it?"
I shrugged, "Who knows? Let's just get to the captain's office before coming up with conspiracy theories."
Aegis nodded in agreement and we continued our walk to the captain's office. I looked around, seeing that Flow is still really tired, Blast is lost in his thoughts, and Gale getting very bored.
"How much longer till we get to the captain?" Gale groaned.
Aegis responded, "Come on, it's only a few minutes Gale, it's not THAT boring is it?"
While Aegis and Gale were talking to each other, I noticed a few things. A few other fellow guards seem to be as tired as Flow. Were they affected by nightmares as well? Were their nightmares also of shadows?
You can't trust them...
Ack! I forgot about those voices for a bit, but they came back to remind me they still existed.
Blast noticed me flinch a bit and asked, "Hey Storm, you okay there?"
"Yeah I'm fine... just a bit on edge you know? This sudden fog, the nightmares, everything really. It seems weird, almost like it's too much of a coincidence."
"Hmm... perhaps that's because it isn't a coincidence? Maybe this fog is what's causing the nightmares?'
I shrugged, "I've thought about that, but wouldn't that mean that we're in bigger trouble than before?"
Blast thought to himself for a moment, "Perhaps, but we can't know the answer yet... oh hey, there's the captain's office up ahead!"
There it was, the captain's office. Will we get our answers here? I hope so. Everything so far has been so strange, from the voices, to everyone having the same nightmare about shadows. At least we might get some information from this.
We knocked on the door and heard Shield, "Hold on for a second!"
We waited and when he opened the door he was surprised to see all five of us salute at the same time, "I was expecting one or two of you, but welcome anyways! Come inside, all of you. We may have something important to discuss..."
We all looked to each other curiously before entering the captain's office. It was your average office, just slightly bigger with a few more weapons on the wall. Though, in Ardent Shield's case, there are more shields than there are weapons. It was a bit messy, a few papers scattered about, other than that, however, that wasn't important. What was important was our discussion we'll have about these nightmares and the fog.
Aegis was the first to speak, "Captain Shield? We were just wondering if you knew anything about the fog."
"The fog? Oh right! Princess Celestia told me about this fog..."
"She did?!" Exclaimed Gale.
"Yes, er, Gale was it? She said it might have a connection to some nightmares that have been popping up all over Equestria. In fact, that's what-"
He was interrupted by us all gasping in surprise. There were nightmares happening all over of Equestria?
Aegis spoke up again, "S-sir! Nightmares are popping up?"
"Yes, Aegis, that's what I-"
Flow was the one to interrupt the captain this time, "Sir! I and some more of the royal guards have been nightmares as well! And you said this might be connected to the fog?"
Shield groaned, "Yes. Now, as I was... wait, some guards have had nightmares as well?"
Flow nodded to confirm this.
He looked down and closed his eyes, "Let me think for a moment..."
We looked at each other with surprise and wonder in our faces. Nightmares all over Equestria... were they about shadows as well? Was this same fog infecting all of Equestria as well? Could this situation be bigger than we thought?
Shield spoke up, "Ms. Flow, you said you and a few more guards have been experiencing these nightmares as well?"
"Yes, sir," Flow responded, "About ten of us, possibly more, including Aegis, Storm, and I."
"Storm? Aegis?"
Aegis and I responded, "Yes sir, we've experienced the nightmares too."
Shield thought to himself for a moment, "Perhaps this is more important than I had thought..."
He doesn't believe you... don't believe him either...
The voices again? He doesn't believe me? Of course he does! He just said that all of Equestria has these nightmares as well! Why wouldn't he believe me when he even said that Princess Celestia herself told him herself? What do you-
I was snapped back to reality by Blast nudging me, "You sure you're fine, Storm? You seem to be really on edge ever since the walk here..."
I contemplated telling him but... he would never believe me... would he?
I reassured him, "I'm fine Blast, just like you said, I'm a bit on edge. Like I said before, those nightmares are really freaking me out."
Blast looked at me carefully, "Alright... whatever you say."
We turned back to Shield who spoke again, "Alright, I've decided. You five will join in an investigation of this nightmare problem. If you've really been experiencing nightmares then... you should already be familiar with what's happening. Tomorrow, you will all be sent out to Manehattan. Your task will be to investigate how badly the city is affected as well as observing any connections you can make to this problem and the fog. Further briefing will be concluded tomorrow, but, for now, return to your duties. I must think about this..."
The five of us saluted and exited out the door. We looked to each other, however, Blast looked at me with suspicion.
Blast came up to me, "Listen, we're in this together bud, your problems are my problems and vice versa. If something's bothering you, just come tell me. In fact, tell anyone, just as long as you get it off your chest, we can all work together to solve each others problems, okay?"
I smiled at him and he smiled back, "Thanks, Blast... By the way, have you had any nightmares yet?"
He thought to himself before responding, "Nope. At least, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'd remember any nightmare I'd have."
I nodded to him and looked ahead. Looks like I'll be getting the action I've wanted after all...
Aegis and I went to our next guard shift. It's as boring as the last one.
Aegis asked me something, "Hey Storm, how bad do you think this nightmare problem is?"
I thought for a second, "Hmm... I can't tell. You said your nightmare was about shadows behind some of your friends right?"
"Yup"
"And Flow's was about... what was her's about again?"
"She didn't say, but judging by how tired she is, I'd say they're even worse than yours."
I tried to connect it all somehow. Perhaps it's based on what somepony has experienced in their life? No, Flow hasn't had much action and I know for a fact that Aegis has seen much worse than all of us. Maybe it's random? I don't know... maybe it's-
Thinking about it will only hurt you...
I recoiled a bit from the sudden voice in my head.
Aegis responded, "Woah! You okay there, Storm?"
"Yeah... it's just..."
Aegis looked at me worryingly, "Listen, if there's something wrong then just tell me, we're in this together you know."
I tried deciding whether or not to tell him about these voices I've been hearing...he'd just think I'd be insane. I just shrugged at him, and thought about the nightmares more.
Aegis had other plans in mind, "Hey, if the nightmares really are that much of a problem, then who knows what they're doing to you? You gotta be honest with us, Storm. You're the only other pony I know who's experienced nightmares like me! Other than Flow of course. So tell me, what's on your mind?"
...Maybe he would believe me after all...
I gave up and told him, "Well... ever since this morning, I've been having... er..."
Aegis smiled and tapped me on the shoulder, "Come on, Storm! With all that's happened so far with the nightmares and their possible connection with this fog as well as this happening to all of Equestria, whatever you tell me can't possibly be worse than that!"
I grinned, "I suppose that's true. Well... I've been having voices in my head ever since this morning, and they've been telling me things like how I can't trust anyone and that no pony would believe me. Even now, they told me thinking about the nightmares and the fog would hurt me... what do you think?"
When I looked at Aegis I could only see his surprised expression before he said, "Well I'll be damned! This nightmare fog might be worse than we all originally thought..."
"Nightmare fog?"
"Yeah! So far all the evidence points towards these nightmares and this fog having something in common. So why not just call it the nightmare fog?"
We shared a chuckle and I answered back, "Well, why not I suppose? Yeah... this nightmare fog might be getting to me. Hopefully once we get to Manehattan we can find more information about this."
Aegis had a worried look in his eye, "So this entire time, you've had voices in your head talking to you saying you should betray everypony?"
"... I suppose so. They've really been messing with me..."
Aegis put his shoulder over me, "Come on buddy! How could you ever betray good old me?"
I laughed and smiled at him, "I'm sorry for not telling you about this earlier..."
"It's alright, at least we know why you've been acting weird lately."
"I was that bad, huh?"
"Don't worry about it, just remember, we're always here for you. Just like how your always here for us, right?"
I glanced at Aegis, "Yeah..."
You'll call upon them, and they'll call upon you. They'll answer back and help you as much as they can, for their ally, their friend. Will you do the same?
Chapter 3: These Nightmares of Ours
Fog Density: 4
My work was done, I've gone back home, and now I'm getting ready to sleep. I'm getting ready to go back into that nightmarish land. Maybe this time I'll have a normal dream instead of another nightmare? I can hope that, at the very least, it won't be that bad of a nightmare. Perhaps, it won't be as bad as last night's dream...
I got into my bed, feeling its comforting softness, slowly drifting off into sleep, slowly letting the shadows take over me, slowly letting the night in. Something felt wrong, I'm not sure what. The fog... it's so weird, I just noticed it today, but, it feels like it's always been there, always waiting in the background, waiting for the right time to strike. It didn't matter now, I'm almost fully asleep, just barely conscious and - soon - I'll either be in a dream, or a nightmare. I hope it's the former...
Darkness. I walk forward towards the nothingness. I walk, and walk, and walk. Nothing. Hours pass by, still nothing. Days pass by, still nothing. Years pass by, when will something, anything happen? I keep walking in hopes for something to happen. Nothing. Once I've finally had enough, I stop, stop the walking, stop the nothing, stop doing the same damn thing over and over again. Then I see it. I've been blind the entire time. Others, just like me, mindlessly walking forward, but to no avail. They just walk and shamble towards a direction. One passes by me and I stare in to their cold, dead eyes, their thoughtless gaze, their slumped body. What are they doing? What have I been doing? Are we destined to do this? Just wandering endlessly... waiting for something to happen. No. There has to be something at the end of this! I charge forward, determined to find the end to this emptiness. This can't be all there is! I WILL find the end, and I will enjoy every single moment of it.
"But why?"
I stop and turn around. Behind me, another shambler. I just noticed something... none of these shamblers have any colour. I'm the only one with colour. Why? Was it because I'm the only to break the cycle of walking for no reason at all? Do none of these shamblers want an end? An end to this empty space?
I respond to the shambler, "Because there has to be more than this! We can't just keep wandering around for no reason! There has to be an end. Something, anything! And I'm going to find it, no matter what.
The shambler just stares at me with a blank expression. Then I see it. He thinks about it for a moment, and colour starts to slowly return to his coat. I recognize this for some reason. His coat slowly changes from a bland gray to a slight orange hue.
He asks, "You really think there's an end?"
"Yes! Why would we be here if there wasn't an end? You just need to find it, search for it with all your heart. Do you really want to just stay here and do nothing? Hmm?
He stares at me for a second before changing his blank expression into a smile. His coat changes into a bright orange coat, his mane a fiery red, and life returns to his amber eyes. A fire is reborn, and his name is Blast Pressure. My friend... what's he doing here? I look around and notice there are others with me, others that I recognize as they gain back their colour. Stalwart Aegis, his white coat returns and his bronze mane bursts out of its gray exterior, while his green eyes are filled with a newfound wanderlust. Gale Breaker's light green coat and sky blue mane make a grand entrance, and her green eyes are filled with curiosity for what lies ahead. Elegant Flow's coat turns from a dead gray into a more vibrant light gray, and her amaranth mane glides in graciously. Her rose red eyes look forward for the adventure that lies ahead. And, of course, me with my white coat and blue mane, I look forward with complete determination to see this through the end.
The other shamblers, however, do not look at us with happiness, but instead, with hatred. One of them has looks like he wants to rip me in half. They all start walking towards us, and we huddled together, preparing for their attack. It didn't come.
"Thou art a brave and determined one, Storm Rush, and these traits shall serve thee well on thou's mission.
I recognized that voice... Princess Luna! I turned to see her in her fullness and bowed immediately.
She chuckled, "That shall not be necessary, young knight. I merely come here to lift you of the burden this nightmare put upon you. However, even without my help, I'm sure you would have pulled through otherwise."
I stood back and asked, "Princess Luna... what are you doing here? Aren't there others in greater need of your help than me with all the nightmares happening?
"I see you've been told about how big our problem my sister and I have. Well then, just know, Storm Rush, while I try to help as many as I can, there are just too many nightmares for me to handle alone. I know of your mission, Storm Rush, and I bid you good luck on it. The fate of Equestria itself may be decided depending on the success of your mission. You have long days ahead of you, so remember, what you will be doing in the near future will be very important, and you will have to depend on your friends just as they will have to depend on you.
I looked at Luna curiously, "What do you mean? Will something bad happen to us in the future?"
Luna smiled at me, "Perhaps... or perhaps not. All we know right now is that your adventure could be dangerous. If these nightmares get worse, then you and your friends will have to rely on each other for safety and protection."
Luna rose and ascended into the air, creating quite the spectacle. I looked around and saw that the shamblers all disappeared, but my friends were still there, smiling at me. I smiled back at them, knowing that - together - we'll be nigh unstoppable.
I turned back to Luna on time to hear her say, "And now... thou must awaken, and begin your mission. Your leadership may be the key to all of this, so may you never lose sight for what you truly fight for... and may your causes be just.
I woke up, not with a cold sweat or panicked breaths, but rather with a newfound determination and courageous spirit inside me. This mission... will it be much more important than I thought? It doesn't matter, what does matter is that we complete it, no matter what. The fate of Equestria very well may depend on the success of our mission... and now, duty calls.
Gale Breaker, Stalwart Aegis, Blast Pressure, Elegant Flow, and I were debriefed on our mission. We are to fly to Manehattan, assist the locals with their nightmare problems, and - most important of all - gather any and all information we can get about the source of these nightmares and its possible relationship to the fog. We got ready for our trip, said our goodbyes, and took flight towards Manehattan.
While flying, I decided to strike up a conversation with everyone, "So anyone else have a nightmare last night?"
Flow was the first to respond, "Yeah! Wasn't that bad this time actually."
"Really? How bad was it then?"
"At the beginning it felt kinda hopeless, like nothing was ever gonna happen. I just started walking in a random direction, then I noticed there were others around me doing the same, so I stopped and everyone just looked at me weirdly, as if I were completely different from them. Then, Luna came outta nowhere and stopped everything from getting messy. Kinda glad too. That dream definitely could've ended worse."
I was surprised by this fact and asked, "Luna visited you too?"
"Yeah! Wait, you saying you were visited by her as well? She tell you about how important our mission could be?"
"Yup! But my dream was even weirder."
Aegis spoke up this time, "Really? Cause I'm pretty sure mine was the weirdest!"
"Oh really huh?" Flow asked, "Exactly how weird are we talking here?"
"Well, it was the same yours, but I didn't stop. I didn't stop because I knew there had to be an end or something, and I was going to be the first to find it! When I looked around and noticed everyone, however, they were all trying to hit me or something. One of em almost did, but I ducked on time. That's when Luna came in outta nowhere and talked to me too. She also talked about how important our mission is."
Blast was next to tell his tale, "I get the feeling this isn't a coincidence at this point. I had a nightmare too. The same one as all of you in fact! Some weird looking ponies were heading into a direction, so I decided to follow them. After a while I got bored and tried to head in a different direction before one of them hit me for no reason at all. Angry, I decided to hit them back and then they all decided to gang up on me! They were pretty slow, though, so I had an easy time getting out. Didn't really need to since Luna comes in and everyone just came to a halt. Then she went on telling me how important our mission is."
Gale was the only one to have a different nightmare, "Really? I guess I'm the odd one out since my nightmare was about... er... drowning."
She gave us a sheepish look, and before any of us could speak she continued, "But wait! There's more. What made this weird was that I was in the princess' castle. Then, for no reason at all, water just came in flooding through the windows! I got upstairs and into one of the towers, but the water just kept on coming. I thought it was the end but Luna came in like some angel from the sky and the water disappeared. Not that I'm afraid of water or anything, mind you! I just really did not want to take a swim at that time. Anyways, Luna comes in and we bonded over some tea. It was pretty nice! Oh, I guess she also said that our mission is important and stuff."
I hummed to myself before speaking up, "I like how all of you assumed I had the same dream as you guys did. Even if it is true... Anyways, the weird thing about my dream was that you were all in it. You all were just shambling like the rest of the ponies before I came in and returned the colour to all of you."
Aegis laughed at this, "Return the colour to us? What, did Discord get to us or something?"
"No," I responded, "You all were just gray, couldn't even recognize any of you! But when I told you all about how there's more to it than just walking around in emptiness, you all gained your colour back. Then Princess Luna came in to tell me how I might be the key to the success of our mission or something. Pretty sure if she didn't come in we would've been attacked, but I'm certain we would've made it out fine!"
Gale laughed, "You? Our glorious leader? In your dreams buddy!"
Everyone laughed at Gale's comment, "Yeah, yeah, yeah... just remember, we're all in this together alright? Together, we can't lose!"
Gale was about to make another joke before Blast interrupted, "Look! Manehatten's just over there!"
And so it was in all of its... wait. Was it just me, or is the fog thicker over here than it was back at Canterlot?
I decided to ask everyone else, "Hey, does the fog over here look worse than back at home?"
Everyone observed the fog closely before all agreeing that it was thicker than Canterlot. What was this fog doing here anyways? That's what we're here to find out, and - one way or another - we'll find an answer to this nightmare problem. We descended into the city of Manehatten.
"Remember, this is just the beginning, the challenges you will face from now on will be tiring and unforgiving. Do not lose sight of what you came here to do, and know that - as a team - you'll be able to complete your mission with ease. You watch their backs, and they'll watch yours...
