Willing The Heavens

Star Swirl paced back and forth as he examined the different work styles of the Princesses.

"Very good Celestia. You should have that spell down in no time."

"Luna, you should try aiming your horn in a parallel fashion."

"Excellent Celestia! You've been practicing."

"Not bad Luna, but you could put a little more power behind that one."

"Raise your horn a little higher Celestia! Perfect!"

"Luna? Are you trying to light the table on fire?"

Luna threw her head back.

"UGH!! Can you just let me practice you old goat?!"

Star Swirl and Celestia stared at her in shock. Luna sighed, rubbing her temples.

"I'm sorry. It's been a long day."

Star Swirl nodded.

"Yes, I think you're right. Perhaps we should call it a night."

Celestia pouted.

"I could still study."

Star Swirl nodded.

"You're welcome to continue your studies in your room if you wish."

Celestia collected a few books and left the study. Luna went to follow her.

"Ahem."

She flinched, slowly turning back to Star Swirl.

"Look...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you a goat."

"I've been called worse Luna. What I want to hear is why you're so stressed over this."

"I'm not stressed! I'm...tired."

"Tired?"

Star Swirl moved closer, examining her face.

"Hmm...you do look tired. Have you not been sleeping?"

"I have! But my dreams...I don't know. It's like I'm walking through a hall of mirrors. And I keep seeing the most bizarre things through each one. It's so much to take in that I feel like my head is going to explode with all this stuff."

Star Swirl nodded.

"How long has this been going on?"

Luna shrugged.

"A few years. But they seem to happen more often now."

The wizard sighed.

"I wish I could tell you what was happening, but I'm not sure I rightfully know. Dreams are a strange thing."

Luna sighed too.

"You can say that again."

"I could try a sleeping spell on you if you'd like. It might help."

"No. I've tried a few already. I'll be okay. Just...don't expect as much out of me as Celestia."

Star Swirl chuckled.

"I never have. Your sister is more of a bookworm, like me."

Luna giggled.

"I'm glad somepony else has noticed. I guess I'll go make an attempt at a good night's sleep."

Star Swirl nodded to her as she turned and left. Once she was out of the room, he sighed.

"The wheels begin to turn."

Luna found herself in the hall of mirrors again. She walked down the hall, glancing into each one.

She didn't recognize the ponies she saw. Some seemed happy, some were scared, and some were just...there. And the scenarios varied from normal to downright strange. She saw ponies walking in parks, climbing mountains, growing or shrinking to odd sizes, and being chased by giant spiders. And that was just within the first few steps of the hallway!

"What is all of this supposed to mean?"

She continued down the hall, taking in each mirror. She came to a halt when she spotted a pony she recognized; Star Swirl!

She stood at the mirror, watching as Star Swirl was shedding his star-and-bell studded robes. He climbed a ladder to a diving board. Luna looked down to see a pool below him. What was he doing?

Star Swirl took a stance and jumped from the board, diving into the pool below.

And that's when the music started.

Star Swirl emerged from the depths and began a dance routine. Luna couldn't help but laugh. She found herself crying from the absurdity of the situation.

The hall began to fade as Luna's laughter continued to echo.

Luna sat at her desk reading while Celestia and Star Swirl were practicing a spell. She had to keep hiding her face. Every time she looked at Star Swirl she wanted to burst into laughter. It was taking all her concentration to do so. Literally. She wasn't even reading anymore after stifling her laughter for the fifth time.

She finally had to leave the room for fear of revealing the source of her outbursts.

"I'm going to...go for a flight. I shouldn't be long."

Celestia paused and nodded to her.

"Oh, okay. I'll see you in a little?"

Luna nodded as she held in one last fit of laughter.

She exited the study and made for the courtyard as fast as she could. Once she was out in the open, she took a deep breath.

"Damn, I've really got to learn to hold it in better."

She looked around the courtyard, relishing the quiet space. She felt most at ease when she was alone. The courtyard was a good place to come, but the skies would be even better.

Luna spread her wings and took off into the air, banking hard to the north. She hadn't been up towards the Canterlot Hills in some time.

There was a light breeze as the princess glided through the sky. She closed her eyes and sighed at the solitude.

"Perfect."

She was moving fast along the treeline, soon leaving the Everfree Forest behind her. The Hills were growing in the distance. They pressed right up to the mountains behind them. It really was a beautiful place.

Luna felt a tear roll down her cheek as she spotted a familiar spot; her village. Or at least where the village had been. The homes had been removed and relocated at the behest of Gusty. Something about the location being too saturated with alicorn magic.

Luna dipped lower towards the ground, curious to know if Gusty's claim was true. Sure enough, the Hills emanated a familiar feeling of magic. She'd have to let Celestia know about it.

Gusty and the rest of the village had moved on to another part of the land, though she'd refused to disclose where. Easier break for everypony she said. Luna and Celestia had already been devastated by the sacrifice the village unknowingly made, but for them to disappear from the Hills? That was a gut punch they hadn't expected.

Luna beat her wings, rising above the Hills. She drifted towards the mountain, its tall peak beckoning her to attempt the climb. She had no desire to test her altitude limits today though. Instead she would fly around the perimeter to the other side.

She followed the edge of the mountain, feeling the curve of the rock and air around her. The Canterlot Hills slowly disappeared as she made her way around the solitary peak. Soon she was on the eastern side and heading towards Foal Mountain . They'd never really explored over here before. It was exciting to see something new!

Foal Mountain was the tallest peak on its small range. It was nowhere near as tall as the the mountain behind Luna, but it was respectable. As she flew closer, she realized it was a lot bigger than she'd anticipated. Foal Mountain towered over her before long, dwarfing the young mare in comparison. Luna stared in wonder, taking in the mountain range as the setting sun hit its rocky face.

And that's when she heard a low growling.

Luna looked around but couldn't find the source of the sound. She slowed down until she was hovering, looking at the mountains.

"Is somepony there?"

She waited silently, listening for any sound at all. And then it came.

Another growl came from above. And then some softer hissing.

Luna looked up, realizing that the sounds were coming from higher on the mountains. She slowly began climbing, keeping close to the rock face. Whatever it was up there didn't sound happy.

She came to a small ledge and set herself down. It seemed that there was a ravine of some sort on the mountain, hidden from the world by the rock wall Luna was now balancing on. She peered over the edge, down into the ravine below.

A dragon was fending off several ponies!

The ponies were unlike any Luna had ever seen. Their bodies were dark grey, nearly matching the color of the mountain. Their eyes were a piercing yellow. But the biggest difference were the wings. They had bat wings!

Luna's eyes grew bigger as she realized she'd come across a group of bat ponies! She'd only ever read about the race in her books. They were thought to be extinct by this point. But here, right in front of her, were several! And they were fighting a dragon!

Luna leaned forward more, wanting to get a better look. Her hooves were right along the edge.

And one hoof dislodged a small rock, sending it down into the ravine. The fighting stopped as the dragon and bat ponies all looked up to the top of the wall.

Luna felt all their eyes lock on her. She forced a smile and laughed nervously.

"Umm...hello..."