Nightmare Return

A tall, dark gray unicorn with a purple mane was sitting on the side of a dark city street. She was sobbing, tears running down an enormously large (and rather gruesome) bleeding cut. She looked up, staring into the cloudy night sky.

Suddenly, there was a flash of white light.

Now the mare was in a much different setting. Trees loomed overhead. An occasional croak was heard. The unicorn was panting, as if she had been running for a long time.

She lifted he head.

"No," the mare said softly.

She turned, facing the trees.

"No," she said, louder this time. "No. I will not let them take what little i have left."

With her hoof, the gray unicorn drew an image of a cresent moon, surrounded by swirling, dark clouds.

Slowly, she chanted a short rhyme. Her horn glowed with blue light.

The mare touched her horn onto the emblem.

Suddenly, some sparkling blue smoke leaped out. It slowly enveloped the unicorn.

All that could be heard was a loud cackling.

Stellar Star woke up with a start. She whipped her head around wildly.

There was no mare, smoke, or cackling. Star was safe in her room.

Was that just a dream? She wondered. or was it a vision?

"Sup," somepony said.

Star nearly jumped out of her skin. Sitting near her bed was Dusk Gleam, her younger brother.

"Dusky! How many times have I told you to stay out of my room?!"

Dusky yawned. "Oh, I dunno. About fifty times?"

"Then why are you here?" Stellar Star questioned him.

"Woah, don't get your tail in a twist, sis," he exclaimed. "Mom just wanted me to come get you."

Star sighed. "What does she want me to do now?"

"Um, duh," Dusky said. "We're leaving for Canterlot in five minutes!"

Star blinked. "What?"

"You know! We're going to Canterlot...to have dinner with our family and friends...at the castle..." he prompted.

"You probably forgot, since you fell asleep again, nuthead!"

Stellar Star slapped her hoof into her face. Of course! she thought. How could I have forgotten!

Dusky heaved himself out of his chair. "Welp, I'll be downstairs. Get ready quick. You know that mom hates to be late!" He trotted down the stairs.

Star looked around. She still felt weird...

All of the sudden, a haze filled the room. Star felt like she could barely stand. She was tired...so tired...

Then she snapped up. Everything was normal again. No haze, no dizziness, no anything.

Star blinked. What just happened? she wondered.

"Stella! Come down! We're all waiting for you!" her mother's voice called.

"Coming!" she yelled. She glanced once more around the room before grabbing her bags and running downstairs.

Behind her, a small chuckle echoed through the room.