Whilst You Sleep

Whilst You Sleep

Empowerment.

Patience.

Regality.

Dignity.

Grace.

These were the traits of Princess Celestia which defined nearly every waking hour of her life. She had always been a talented alicorn with incredible magical abilities, an apt knowledge of social norms, and the wisdom to navigate nearly all walks of life with unconditional love as her mantra.. Ponies had only ever known the benevolent ruler of Equestria as they saw her, brimming with radiant beauty in the light of the sun. She was the idol of her subjects, her students, and unbeknownst to many, her own sister.

Princess Luna - Daughter of the Night, Keeper of Dreams, The Moon Goddess - she was humbled to have so many titles among her pony subjects. In many ways, she was seen as Celestia’s equal, as a ruler and a guiding light for ponies in need. As a Dream Walker, Luna often made herself available to ponies while they slept, offering advice and assisting them through their darkest nightmares. She was not without her own nightmares, but years of experience had taught her to control her own darkness, knowing full well that the light of her friends and family could save her from even the most horrendous of nightmares. However, there was one pony whom she had always viewed with utmost curiosity and care. A certain princess, who despite her shining smile and regal stature, often hung her head low when the curtains fell and the act was over.

It was her own sister, Celestia, who had troubled Luna these past few nights. It began with a late sunrise that happened earlier that week. She knew her sister to be many things, and “late” was not one of them. Then one morning when she collected the teacups off the table, she found Celestia’s cup to be completely full. Not a drop out of place. Something was definitely wrong with her. Not that she would ever let anypony realize such a thing, lest she inspire worry among her subjects. She had to realize, however, that Luna was no fool.

She confronted her one night before she went to sleep. The conversation did not go as Luna had intended.

“Thou seems to be out of sorts dear sister. What troubles you?”

“Why Luna, I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Thy entourage is no longer present. We demand that thee speak freely!”

“Luna… I will not accept that tone from you. You don’t need to demand anything. I have nothing to tell you. Good night.”

“Uh… w-wait. Sister I-”

She might have gone a bit too far in trying to force Celestia to speak her mind. With that, Celestia seemed to distance herself a little more, which only added to Luna’s worry for her. If there was one thing she could do to better understand her sister’s plight… it would be to counsel her when her defenses were down. When the act would not be necessary. When nopony would be able to disturb them.

It had been years since she last attempted this… Princess Luna would need to dream walk into Princess Celestia’s dreams.

With the moon hanging lazily overhead, night had fallen swiftly upon Equestria. The palace guards’ shift would soon be over, and the elite Night Guard would take their place. Bat ponies transfigured by Princess Luna’s magic were more suited for patrolling the grand halls at night, with eyes that could see in the dark easily and webbed wings which allowed them to survey the skies in near silence. The ever glowing orb in the sky served as a symbol for all creatures - the time for sleep and dreams had finally come.

Even Celestia knew to heed the moon’s call. She would need to rest if she was to awaken the following morning to raise the sun. Whether she slept well or not, that was not something for her to decide. Let the fates sort it out, she would think to herself. For weeks she had clung to the hope that her dreams would be better… that whatever nightmare had pestered her all this time would finally be tamed. She had hope, but naught the nerve to ask for help when she needed it.

I should not have snapped at her the way I did... She drew the curtains closed, lay on her bed, and begged her mind be still until she finally fell asleep.

The starry dreamscape was unusually beautiful tonight. Silver pathways of dust and moonlight branched from a central hub in the middle of the world. With every step that Luna took, the ground beneath her rippled like a puddle in a pond. She had traversed through the dreamscape for centuries, and despite her absence as Nightmare Moon, it didn’t take long for her to recall her way to nearly every avenue of the dream world. Everypony had their own individual path which would lead to their dream world, and her dear sister would be no different.

She flew up and away to a large door situated in the center of a pristine garden filled with ethereal blossoms and flora of supernatural beauty. Luna had fashioned this garden herself, a secret project she took upon to pay homage to her sister. Ever the loyal and loving sibling, she had always wanted to show Celestia what she had made for her, but there was always some excuse on her mind that prevented her from bringing it up. Luna knew better than to think that Celestia would resent her selfless act of love… and yet, this garden had remained her secret for years.

Celestia’s private thoughts and dreams existed beyond this door. For a moment, Luna feared she had not the will to proceed…

“Luna… I will not accept that tone from you. You don’t need to demand anything. I have nothing to tell you. Good night.”

Celestia’s words echoed in her head. Luna tapped on the door and phased through it, leaving her doubts and fears behind~ proceeding instead with purpose and determination to find what nightmares her sister hid behind her sunlit facade.