Dread.

Futility.

“…temis…”

Darkness.

“Artemis…”

Cold.

“…Help me…”

Death.

“Artemis!”

My eyes shot open and I quickly sat up, panting.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay.” Celestia said as she squeezed my shoulder. I looked to her, but could barely see her face through the dark of the room. As I fought to get control of my breathing, Celestia left the bed. The light from the bathroom came on and illuminated the room. The large clock by the bookcase-wall read…very early. She quickly came back with a fluffy towel. “Here,” she said and held it out with both arms. “Stand up and come here, you’re soaked.”

I nodded and stood. She wrapped the towel around me, hugging me as she did. “Nightmare?” she asked.

“Nightmare.” I responded.

We were quiet for a bit, and then she said, “That’s unusual.”

I scoffed. “Gee, ya think?”

“Don’t get smart with me, missy.” She playfully chided. “Here.” She guided me back to the bed and we sat down, her leaning against my arm. “I just mean, you shouldn’t be getting them. Not with Luna around.”

“I know,” I sighed.

“How long have you been getting them?”

“Not for very long.”

We were quiet again. “What are they about?”

I thought for a minute, trying to think of the words to describe them. “…Help me…” I shook my head. “Nothing good.”

Quiet again. “You alright?” She asked.

I nodded. “I will be.”

“Why don’t you take a shower and then we’ll go see Luna?” She looked to the clock. “She should be available right about now.”

I laughed a bit. “As if her ‘availability’ would stop me from seeing her.”

Celestia smirked. “Go on. I’ll get some clothes ready for you.”

The water running down my skin felt wonderful. Nothing makes you feel better than ridding yourself of the days grime. I thought more about the dream, it was impossible not to. So annoying to have something be so vivid in the moment, but looking back on it, only snippets…

Cold…

I shivered and turned the water from hot to blisteringly hot.

Me and Celestia stood outside Luna’s door. I knocked. “Enter,” came Luna’s voice. We did and Luna looked up from her desk. She smiled. “Sister, Artemis! To what do we owe the pleasure of this early morning visit?”

“Hey, Lu.” I spoke. “How are you?”

Luna’s smile warmed slightly and she leaned back in her chair. “Why, we’re doing very well-”

“Language, Luna.” Celestia cut in.

Luna coughed in embarrassment. “Ah, yes. Do excuse us.” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Me!” Luna corrected. Celestia smiled. “Yes, do excuse me. We – I’m – still getting used to this way of speaking.”

“Aww,” I said. “I like your way of speaking.”

Celestia hit my arm. “Don’t encourage her! I’m trying to break this habit she has.”

“Anyway.” Luna said. “How can I help you?”

“Oh, we’re just checking in on you.” I said. Celestia hit me again. I looked to her and she gave me the look. You know the one. The one that says, ‘if you don’t tell, I will.’” I hate that look… I scratched the back of my head. “I… I had a nightmare.”

“It wasn’t just a nightmare.” Celestia said to Luna. Then she looked at me. “Artemis, you were screaming.”

The room was quiet. “Sister.” Luna said, very serious. “Are you saying that Artemis had a night terror?”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, definitely.”

Luna stared at us like we were playing a prank, both amused and annoyed. “That’s not possible.”

“Are you saying that she was thrashing and screaming and sweating because… what? It’s fun?”

Luna looked to me. “You? Had a nightmare? …You?”

I groaned in frustration. “Yes, damnit. Yes. I had a nightmare, okay?”

“About… About what?”

I thought back to the nightmare. Dread. “Something… Something’s coming…” Futility “We can’t stop it.” Darkness. “There’s no light left.” Cold. “There’s no love left.” “…help me…” “Someone calls to me…” Death. I shook my head. “I don’t make it in time.”

The sisters stared at me with wide eyes. “Well then…” Luna said. “That’s ominous.”

“That’s it?” Celestia asked her. “That’s all you have to say?”

“I don’t know what to tell you.” Luna said, holding up her hands. “I am telling you; it is impossible for Artemis to have a nightmare. I make sure of it myself.”

“But I did have one! No, I’ve had it a few times. Always the same.”

Luna looked me up and down, as if examining a machine that needed to be fixed. “No. ‘tis not a nightmare.”

“Have you not been listening?”

“I have.” Luna nodded. “And it is not a nightmare. It can’t be. Don’t you understand? I personally ward them off every night.” She thought for a moment. “Though… I suppose if one got through…” She looked to me. “How much of it can you remember?”

“I remember the important parts.”

Luna hummed in thought. “Then it may still be in you. Stand over here.” She moved to the balcony and opened the glass doors. I was immediately hit with the frigid, night-time mountain air and I fought not to shiver. The view was spectacular. Not only is Canterlot situated high on the mountain to begin with, but the tower that Luna calls her home is magnitudes higher than that. I could see for miles. The valley that houses the sleepy town of Ponyville stretched off into the distance bathed with moonlight, with rail-road tracks snaking their way north, west and east. But not south.

No, in that direction was the Everfree Forrest. I could see that too, beyond the valley. It started next to Ponyville and grew on and on into the distance with the end being… somewhere.

“Stand still and stop gawking.” Luna spoke. “This is serious.”

“What are you doing?” I asked.

Her horn lit and she inclined her head to me. “With my moons help, we shall banish this sneaky nightmare together. Now, stand still, and bathe in its light.”

I didn’t really know what she meant by ‘bathe in its light’, so I just stood still. This seemed to satisfy her. Her magic washed over me, and the moon seemed to glow a tad brighter. A tingling sensation started at the crown of my head and slowly moved down. It was difficult not to fidget as it felt like the pins and needles you get when a body part falls asleep. Except, you know, in your head. It was especially difficult not to move when the magic rolled over my eyes, but I fought through it.

When the sensation got to my neck, it stopped. “Hmm,” Luna said. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?” Celestia asked.

Luna shook her head, “It’s not a nightmare.”

“Then what happened?” I asked.

She closed her eyes. “I know not. I’m sorry friend, but I sensed nothing.” She gestured to the moon. “Even with the help of my charge, together we found nothing of ill intent inside your mind.”

“Great,” I said. “Just great.” I went back inside, Celestia following behind. I sat on one of the dark blue chairs and sighed. Celestia sat next to me. “What now?” I asked.

“For now,” Luna said, closing the glass doors behind her. “I would recommend getting some more sleep. It’s still very early and you should be able to get a few more hours in.”

“I’m not sure I could sleep now even if I wanted too.”

“Why don’t we just try, Artemis?” Celestia asked, her magenta eyes twinkling in the candlelight. “At least lie down until morning. If you don’t sleep, then that’s fine. If you manage to, then all the better.”

I nodded, hesitantly. “Yeah, okay.”

We stood and Luna showed us to the door. “I’m truly sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” She said, morosely.

I sighed. “It’s not your fault, Lu.”

“Nay.” She said, shaking her head. “‘tis my domain, yes? I should have no problem banishing what ails you. Yet again it seems I have failed.”

“Hey.” I cut in, my voice like a knife through her thoughts. “Stop that. Nothing good comes of thinking that way. We both know that.”

“You tried your best, sister.” Celestia said. “Nothing more can be asked of you.”

Luna nodded, not really believing that. She looked at me with determination in her eyes. “Rest assured Artemis, I have a new quest now. I will not fail it.”

I smiled and squeezed her arm then left with Celestia.

Once back in our room, the sheets had been changed, and a fresh set of nightwear had been laid out for the both of us. We changed then slipped beneath the sheets. I rested my head on Cell’s chest, she hummed a gentle tune to me and I closed my eyes. Sleep never came.

Author's Note

Hello everyone,

Just a short chapter today I'm afraid. There will probably be a longer one by the end of the week. Regardless, I hope you enjoy.
As always if you see any problems, please don't hesitate to leave a comment!

Love and Peace.