Chapters Alone I gallop, dodging flame and bramble alike. Around one branch, under the next. Over embers and through flames. Scrapes and burns, my legs nearly buckle. My neck cracks as I look this way and that. My eyes strain against the smoke.
Where is he!? I call out, but all I hear is sizzling, crackling… snapping?!
I jump as a tree falls nearby. The rumbling impact kicks up a plume of ash. I sputter and cough, stumbling. My throat burns and my eyes water.
Fire engulfs the tree. I feel a sweltering heat as the fire surrounds me.
There’s a figure beyond the fire. I blink several times, my eyes still tearing up. I… I think it’s my brother! I call out to him, despite the dry throat.
He notices me!
He approaches the wall of flame, stepping through it unimpeded.
… Why is his horn so broken?
I cry out, and stumble backward, falling into a pile of ash. Cinders cling to my coat, though it doesn't sting.
Intense heat gives-way to a chilly cold. I shiver achingly as my sweat turns to ice. Where my brother once stood, I now see white, glowing eyes staring back at me. They threaten to penetrate my very being. A branching, distorted horn fills me with a sense of urgency. Yet at the same time, like tendrils, I can feel a terror beyond comprehension wrap around my mind, trapping me in place. Fight-or-Flight becomes a distant memory as I shake fervently. My perceptions fade into the background….
My vision returns with a shrill, piercing call. A fireball collides with the monster, throwing it off-balance and cracking its scaly carapace.
A growl. The monster’s behind me. It’s undeterred by violet flames in its mane. I keep ahead, barely.
My hooves ache. Scrapes and burns no longer worry me. The monster keeps pace. It stampedes everything in its path.
The surrounding fire contorts like a pair of livid snakes. A winding path is formed ahead. I have no choice but to follow it. Twists and turns.
Behind me, the flames close up. They threaten to consume the monster. It struggles, it loses ground.
Ahead, the trees thin. There’s a glowing orb in the sky. Orange light gives way to a dull white. Icy terror returns to me. The canopy clears as I gain an unimpeded view above: The Moon.
Emblazoned on its surface, the silhouette of a unicorn stares back at me. Unfiltered fear overwhelms my senses and consumes my thoughts. Fire beckons me forward as my eyes remain locked above. A shiver down my spine turns tears to ice. My lungs fill with cold as moonlight stings like frostbite against my coat.
In my daze, I make a fatal step and soon find myself stumbling down a cliff.
I tumble.
Month 3, Moon 2, of 0998 N.E.
Nine hundred, ninety-eight years after The Banishment.
“Twilight!"
"AHH!" Twilight awoke with a start, nearly twisting out of bed. She checked her horn with a hoof, and found it to be in one piece. With a relieved sigh, she slumped back against her sweat-drenched pillow. Tears obscured her vision, but she focused on slowing her breathing.
Deep breaths, in and out. In and out. It took time, but she finally began to calm down, lingering feelings subsiding slowly. She rubbed her eyes with her hooves, her vision finally clearing as she felt two small claws gently prod her.
Twilight turned to see Spike sitting just to her side. Ecstatic, she couldn’t help but reach over, wrap her hooves around him, and pull him close. “Spike! You’re okay!"
Spike yelped and pushed against Twilight, attempting to pry himself free. "Not for long if you drown me in your sweat!" After another moment's struggle, he finally gave-in. Begrudgingly, he wrapped his small arms around her.
"Oh, I had the most awful dream...,” she began, “There was… there was fire everywhere, and-and I was in the forest, and I-I couldn’t find anypony, except … !” Twilight stopped herself, casting a worried glance toward her young charge.
“Except…?” Spike looked up at her with anticipation. She hesitated to respond.
“...-Lots of trees!” She finally answered with a nervous grin.
“Oh,” Spike’s reply was laced with disappointment. “Well I’m glad you’re awake.”
With the lull in conversation, Twilight gently let go of him and sat up, eyes blinking at her surroundings.
Her eyes adjusted to find everything was in its proper place. She found herself in bed, in the middle of the room. Her desk sat against the wall, stacked with books, papers, parchment and other assorted school supplies. Beside that, Spike’s bed sat, untouched. Glowing sun rays shone through the window, comfortingly bathing her in warm light.
Wait... sun!? In a sharp turn of her head, she glanced at the clock high above. “Eight fourty-three? Oh my gosh Spike, I’m late for class!” Gently shoving him to the side, Twilight leapt out of bed, and rushed over to her desk. Using her hooves, she gathered up all the necessary materials while her horn fetched the saddlebags that hung on the wall.
Spike recovered, making his way to the edge of the bed and lowering himself off it. “I’ve been trying to wake you up for a while! I’ve never seen you sleep so well…” Meanwhile, Twilight levitated all of her school supplies into the saddlebags now at her sides.
“... But what about breakfast!?”
The elegant halls of Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns were devoid of anypony else, an unfamiliar sight for Twilight’s usual punctuality. All she could hear was the echo of her hooves as she made a mad dash through the school, breaking the relative silence that otherwise dominated.
As she turned down one hallway, her hooves quivered and she stumbled, catching herself against a wall and stopping. For just a moment, her dream came back to her. She shivered, and she could swear that her hoof-tips felt oddly chilly. She had little time to ponder this before arriving at class and wrenching the door open.
To her left, rows of filled seats and tables took up most of the room, each one raised off of each other to ensure line-of-sight with the stage ahead. Well-lit thanks to the soft, magically-fluorescent bulbs above, wrinkly, old Professor Inkwell stood in the middle of a lesson.
“... Just as it had filled the Griffons’ hearts with pride, so too did it fill their minds with words, just waitin’ to be set to page. During King Grover’s reign, Griffon literature flourished, and that’s what we'll be observing this week.” Once she had finished her statement, she turned to Twilight with a discerning gaze, her one good eye scowling.
“Weeell, it hasn’t been since, well, since your first class with me that you’ve been late,” she began. “Take your seat Miss Sparkle, I’ll spare ya’ the trouble of explaining.” Twilight looked away with lowered ears, and quietly made her way up the rows. She heard faint snickers as she passed.
Continuing with the lesson, Professor Inkwell turned back to the class.
“A lot of their literature made its way to us from many authors, including-”
Finally arriving at her usual seat, Twilight was surprised to find the seat to her left had also been left empty. Moon… dancer, was it? She was late, too? That was odd.
Nonetheless, Twilight took a seat and began digging through her saddlebags. She retrieved a quill and placed it on the table in front of her, and a not-so-faint whisper grabbed her attention.
“What happened to you? You’re not usually late.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” A snide remark was the only acknowledgement Twilight offered in reply.
She reached back into her bags and grabbed parchment, drawing it out onto the table and letting the ends hang-off either side as something pressed against her shoulder. She glanced over in time to catch a curious side-stare from her troublesome classmate: it was Minuette - an acquaintance, nothing more - leaning over Moondancer’s empty seat. “Seriously, you’re never late, so what’s wrong?”
Twilight merely shook her head as she went to retrieve her final tool. She dug through her saddlebags, leaned closer to peer inside, and then slumped back with exacerbation, her eyes wide. She looked around frantically, before her eyes settled on an inkwell on Minuette’s portion of the table. She looked to Minuette, who returned a knowing grin.
“Can I use your ink!?” Twilight sharply whispered, desperation in her voice. The other mare’s grin didn’t falter, even as Twilight clenched her jaw.
“Sure! … If you wanna tell me why you’re late, that is,” Minuette offered, leaning back comfortably with a smug look.
Twilight held a hoof to the bridge of her muzzle. “Alright, fine! But… later!” she hissed, hovering her quill near the ink with intensity. Minuette shrugged, nodding in agreement. She nudged the ink in Twilight’s direction, who wasted no time in dipping her quill and setting it to her parchment.
With that ordeal out of the way, Twilight was finally able to settle in amid this frantic morning. The next several minutes were spent learning and taking notes about Griffon Literature, and Twilight relished every second of it. Sharing the inkwell proved less troublesome than she had expected, even. Minuette seemingly took no notes, meaning Twilight had free range over the ink, aside from when her neighbor chose to doodle, that is.
Twilight, unlike Minuette apparently, found the lesson very interesting. Not solely because of her well-known interest in books, but also because Griffon culture - or at least what she knew of it - was very refreshing. Griffons kept a respectable distance from each other, meaning ponies like Twilight could read and study in peace. She liked that; it was a far cry from the far-too-friendly and involved environment of Canterlot, she was sure of it.
As if her thoughts had been broadcast to the room, Twilight was promptly interrupted by a quiet murmuring between two ponies behind her. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she didn’t care to, either; it was a rude disruption and little more than that. She simply attempted to tune them out and refocus on the lesson.
“One common element you’ll find comin' up again and again this week... is the Moon,” Professor Inkwell began, sketching a rough circle onto the chalkboard and filling it with only a few tiny circles: a perfect representation of the Moon as everypony knows it.
Twilight was finally brought back to reality by a scratchy voice, echoing above the murmuring surrounding her.
“What’re you all yammering about?” Professor Inkwell began as she cast judgemental eyes around the room, a smirk creeping onto her face. “Something to say about the topic, perhaps? …Care to share your insights with everypony?” Her voice carried a sense of sarcasm that silenced the class swiftly. “No? Well, let’s carry-on then.”
Twilight was left to fight-off lingering unease by herself, picking up her quill with her mouth and continuing her notes.
“You’ll come to notice that it’s often used to represent a bounty, treasure, or reward,” Professor Inkwell explained, “As a result of the traits it shares with coins - it's round like a coin, and it shines like a coin, in fact-” the faintest of murmurs distracted the Professor, at which point she sighed, raised an eyebrow, and simply asked, “... Are there any questions?”
Several hooves went up. Twilight’s eyes widened; maybe her classmates were more interested than she gave them credit for. Perhaps the murmuring she had heard hadn’t been idle chatter, but instead genuine discussion on the relevant topic at hoof.
Yeah, right.
Twilight took the opportunity to look over her notes, make sure she hadn’t missed anything, and to write-around the blatant inkblot obscuring half a paragraph. Twilight could still hear a pair of murmurs behind her, apparently undeterred by the Professor’s deceptively-competent ears.
Professor Inkwell in the meantime pointed a hoof at somepony. “Question?” Twilight didn’t turn to look, she was simply not all-that-interested; she was used to obvious questions.
The classmate seemed to have a difficult time speaking, as-if she had been trying to put a sentence together last-minute. “So, um… I know that, like, dreams are used a lot in our books, but… what about Griffon books?”
Twilight’s ears perked. Silence fell upon the room like a veil, weighing on everything. even the murmuring behind her was completely silent. Professor Inkwell gave pause, her one good eye scanning the classroom. Looking for something? Her gaze returned to the classmate as she finally answered.
“...Dreams? Well erm…, I can’t say for certain. From what I understand, Griffons don’t place as much significance on dreams the same way we do... But, well, we’ll get to that later! Next question?” Twilight frowned with dissatisfaction.
As the questions continued, Twilight focused on double-checking her notes. Unfortunately for her, Minuette took this as an opportunity to lean across Moondancer’s empty seat again and whisper something that gave Twilight pause.
“You had a nightmare, didn’t you?”
Twilight’s eyes widened as she whipped her head to face Minuette, taking a deep breath and whispering sharply; “How do you know!?”
The corners of Minuette’s mouth curled in mirth, looking at Twilight with a bemused expression. “I didn’t, not until now,” she replied. She shrugged before continuing: “As if it wasn’t obvious,” she chuckled quietly, “You’ve been a bit of a wiggle-worm ever since the Moon came up. Not like- oh, you know what I mean.” Minuette gave a casual flick of her hoof.
“But what does that have to do with-,” Twilight began, prompting Minuette to explain.
“My roommate woke up from a nightmare this morning, too. She kept talking about the Moon.” Minuette gave sideways glances at the rest of the classroom. “... And it seems you two aren’t the only ones.” Twilight didn’t understand Minuette’s reasoning, until it suddenly clicked.
“Wait, is that why everypony’s been whispering?” She had to admit, they weren’t normally this distracted… most of the time.
“My best guess? Yes,” Minuette replied with a quiet giggle. Twilight caught Minuette mutter to herself: “ … Does that count as poetry?”
Twilight paid her self-gratification no mind, instead busily working through this new information. If they had had nightmares too, about the Moon no less, that would have been a huge coincidence, but- no… that’s a statistical improbability. There's simply no way...
Psh, she was probably just paranoid - suffering from residual fear, and Minuette definitely wasn’t helping. In fact, Twilight moved to correct her. “That doesn’t mean-”
“Miss Sparkle?” Twilight’s heart sank. Turning to look, she saw all-eyes were suddenly on her, including a remorseful Minuette’s and Professor Inkwell’s, who didn’t look particularly pleased on the best of days. Twilight’s breath was caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat as she worked-up the courage to reply.
“... Yes Professor?” She replied sheepishly. She heard a faint snicker from elsewhere in the classroom. Professor Inkwell moved to reply, her voice flat and to-the-point.
“I’ve been patient, but I wanna hear why one of my best students not only arrived late, but also carried on whisperin’ after a warning.”
Twilight’s mouth twitched as she searched for a reply. She felt the weight of everypony’s gaze on her, though some seemed to be awkwardly avoiding eye-contact as well. She sat stiffly in her seat, wishing she could teleport away right this moment. If only she were better at that.
Minuette came to her rescue, holding a hoof out in-front of Twilight’s face. “I asked her about a really interesting dream she had! My bad, Professor,” Minuette nervously laughed before resting her hoof and returning to sit. Twilight looked at her, bewildered, as Minuette only continued to grin nervously at the professor.
The Professor gave a faint, breathless chuckle. “Well, I can certainly say I’ve come to expect that from you Minuette, but I don’t understand why Twilight would have entertained the question in the first place. Well?” She returned her gaze to Twilight, who shrunk in her seat.
The room was silent as Professor Inkwell cleared her throat. Before Twilight could work up a reply, elsewhere in the classroom a voice spoke-up. “Was yours a nightmare too?”
“Mine was!” A classmate replied, standing to make herself known.
Immediately, two very-tired looking ponies in the next row replied. “Ours too. Like, we both couldn’t get back to sleep!”
Twilight caught a sideways glance at Minuette, who was looking at her with a pleased expression, proven right. Twilight couldn’t deny it any longer; this was no coincidence. Something like this simply couldn’t happen without some explanation.
The Professor seemed uneasy as her eyes leapt between students sounding-off, one-by-one, about nightmares they had. Very few shared much detail, but Twilight easily picked-up the one common element.
“That’s enough!” The professor replied with exacerbation, a clear nervousness overtaking her lethargic demeanor. “While the nature of dreams is a mystery, now is simply not the time to be discussing this. Please save it for after class.”
Although the class gave quiet agreement, the rest of the hour felt tense, as if a storm cloud hung over the room. Nopony was able to keep focused anymore, and Professor Inkwell’s unsteady irritation seemed to grow by the minute, until finally she ended class early, taking the opportunity to leave in a hurry.
For once, Twilight and her classmates were of the same opinion on this. Determination fueled her to pack-up quickly and make for the exit. She had research to do. As she went through the door out into the hall, Minuette squeezed through and walked alongside her.
“You’re going to the library, right?”
“What gave you that idea?” Twilight replied with a huff, rolling her eyes at Minuette’s apparent seventh-sense.
“Because, you may not like talking to anypony, but you’re practically an open book, Twilight. You think something else is going on, so you’re going to do some research. And I’m coming to help!”
Twilight stopped and looked at Minuette, exacerbated. “What? Why?”
Minuette shrugged with an apologetic grin. “To make-up for getting you singled-out like that,” she explained. “And I won’t take no for an answer! My roommate had a nightmare too, remember? I'd like to figure out what's going on.”
Twilight sighed, but nonetheless offered no argument as she continued walking, Minuette tagging-along whether she was welcomed or not.
Ch. 2: Celestial Considerations
Slow hoofsteps echoed down the large, elegant hallways of Canterlot Castle, breaking the otherwise calm silence. Two ponies - one tall and sleek, with a mane and tail that flowed even in the absence of breeze, and another short and comparatively ordinary, walked side-by-side.
With a sigh, the larger spoke first. “The guards claim they saw you lingering near the Mirror again. Is this true?” Celestia glanced down at her pupil with apprehension. Sunset merely huffed and continued to look onward, confirming her suspicions.
Celestia’s face turned stern. “Sunset Shimmer, we have discussed this. Many times. There are very few things I forbid. The Mirror is one of them. You will come to understand its properties when you are ready.”
“So it is magical, I knew it!” Sunset looked up at her mentor with a smug expression, before a glare of disapproval shot her down. Sunset frowned off to the side as the two continued to walk.
“You have let your studies slip over this obsession,” Celestia scolded. “And must I remind you of the importance-”
“I’m passing my classes with flying colors,” Sunset replied, confidence adorning her face.
“-of making friends?” Celestia finished her statement with a note of emphasis. “You are a promising magic student, but you have been neglecting your fellow classmates and the studies you have taken-on as my personal student. Your study of friendship-”
Sunset stopped mid-stride, and turned to face Celestia. Celestia stopped to face her in turn. “Your studies have been nothing but a distraction!” She turned away with a sneer. “You’re just worried I’ll surpass you!"
“That is enough! There is more to life than magic, and being proficient at it will not get you as far in life as you may think.” Celestia looked down with frustration at her pupil.
Sunset cast a hoof up at Celestia. “It got you a position as ruler of Equestria.”
“My abilities alone are not how I came to be where I am today. I owe it to things that I’ve learned from family…” Celestia’s voice wavered, “-and yes, even friends. You would, perhaps , understand that by now if you didn’t use your time obsessing over the Mirror, but instead in following my instruction.” Celestia’s stern voice betrayed her dignified demeanor.
Silence fell shortly after, and the two continued walking, with Sunset keeping stubbornly quiet and avoiding eye-contact as she glared at the floor. Soon enough, the two arrived outside, a pegasi-drawn chariot awaiting them in the courtyard. After a pleasant greeting on Celestia’s part, she climbed aboard. Sunset moved to join her, but was halted by Celestia’s outstretched hoof.
“No, I believe some fresh air will do you well. You will walk , and please at least greet a few ponies on your way to the school. I will see you soon.” Without awaiting a reply, Celestia signaled for the chariot to depart. With little run-up, the pegasi took flight, Celestia’s chariot pulled closely behind. Sunset stared up in bewilderment as it disappeared over Canterlot’s skyline, her face slowly morphing to contempt.
Once they had reached altitude, Celestia leaned back against the chariot, resting as she finally allowed herself to relax. As the wind upon her coat cooled emotion, she let her mind wander. This hadn’t been the first, or even the fifth time that the two of them have had to discuss this very issue. She never wished to be stern with her little ponies, but Sunset’s arrogance and dismissal of her words had left Celestia frustrated and worn. Sunset had been - still is - a very promising protégé, but as of late she has been very… troublesome, Celestia admitted to herself with an uncomfortable glance down at the cityscape below.
Sunset was powerful and accomplished for such a young age, and yet, that power must be tempered by things that only friendship can teach, and soon. Celestia wasn’t wrong to encourage it, she was sure of that. It was a little unconventional, but if her experiences with her sister had proven anything, it was that she had left her friendless, and that hadn’t turned out well. Celestia was unable to be a friend to Sunset, so it only made sense to encourage her to seek out friends of her own. And if her suspicions about friendship prove true, well… she decided it wasn’t worth thinking that far ahead. Not yet.
After a ponderous flight, the chariot began to descend. Touching down, its wheels rolled smoothly across the well-kept stones of Canterlot’s streets before stopping in front of a tall structure with three spires. Like the rest of Canterlot’s architecture, it bore a mixture of purples and whites and gold trim along its elegant form.
Celestia took a deep breath, and carefully disembarked from the chariot, meeting the eyes of her many subjects that had stopped to observe in splendid awe. She courteously smiled, bowed, and turned to her pegasi guards, looking down at them with a caring gaze. “You may take your leave, and please try to relax. I will return early, after noon.” Although the guards were hesitant to leave Celestia alone, they had given up trying to argue long ago; Celestia insisted that their presence was not necessary here; who would be cruel, or perhaps dumb, enough to do anything at a magic school in the middle of Canterlot of all places?
Approaching the stairs, she made her way up past marble columns and onlooking subjects before stepping up to the front entrance. Beside it rested a rather large plaque, adorned with words that Celestia only accepted out of polite respect;
‘Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns.’
Although this place was one of her greatest accomplishments of the last century, she had taken exception to it being dedicated to her: in all things, credit was unnecessary - something she wished Sunset to understand. Nonetheless, her time as ruler had taught her it’s best to graciously accept whatever ways her subjects wished to honor her: to do otherwise would cause great upset. Though she had to admit, her subjects’ antics were often very humorous - but she kept that to herself.
In earlier days, when she had seen so many talented unicorns not honing their skills as they should have been allowed to do, she had taken it upon herself to create the school. Here, a unicorn could learn to better themselves and their magic, and its many programs aided them in finding ways to put their abilities to good use afterwards.
With a quick and easy use of her magic, Celestia opened one of the large doors and stepped inside. She allowed it to close behind her, a quiet thud echoing through the silent hallways. Thankful to see that she was on schedule, she proceeded up the staircase to the second floor, the hallways clear of students.
Still, she took her time down the hallway, taking-in the calm atmosphere of the tiled, lavender hallways and marbled walls. At times, she wished that she had the opportunity to learn in a place like this. To learn alongside friends and share in the literal magic of it all, it must be a wondrous experience. During her time studying under Starswirl, she had only Luna to share it with, and much to her regret she hadn’t appreciated that time more - or been a reliably study-partner either. The two of them were close, at least Celestia liked to think so, but matters of learning had left them at odds with each other, often. Every time they fought or argued, Celestia would simply double-down on her own studies and shut Luna out. It was a lonely experience, and something she didn’t wish to see repeated… for anypony.
As she finally arrived at her destination, a rather tall set of oak double-doors awaited her. Although they bore her name, she never considered this solely her space. She preferred to treat it more like a lounge for the school’s teachers. She didn’t often have time to be at the school, so it only made sense not to let the room go unused. Still, as she reached out a hoof to gently push the door open, she hoped it was currently unoccupied. The first of many one-on-one meetings with each teacher was still a half-hour away, at least.
Stepping inside, her hopes had been met as the room was currently empty. At the far end was a large desk made of varnished wood, a nameplate on top marked with her name. Behind it a quaint-but-comfortable chair, upsized for her. A large window behind that. Just beside it in the left corner was a small, magically-powered refrigerator - undoubtedly keeping several lunches and beverages cold at this very moment. Closer to the doors and off to the right sat two sofas, facing each-other with a coffee table spaced evenly between. Built into that wall was also a large set of bookshelves, lined with many books.
Celestia approached the desk, eyeing a cup of pens on top. She retrieved one with her magic, looking at it thoughtfully.
Celestia had yet to find pens uninteresting. They were a relatively recent invention, as far as her lifespan was concerned. Efficient, and easy to use. Whomever had been clever enough to put the inkwell inside of a metal quill must have been quite the visionary… or perhaps a bit lazy. She allowed her staff to use these here, out of sight of students, to make their work easier. However, her students were permitted only to use traditional ink and quill - with rare exception - if only to teach them patience, and skillful care.
Sunset would likely be one to use a pen, Celestia glumly considered, placing the pen back into its place. Stepping around the desk, she moved to sit down, resting as she looked across the empty room. Who knows? Sunset might be the next great visionary. Perhaps she’ll invent a spell that will allow ponies to cast words to page without a tool, freeing them of the burden of carefully considering each word they wrote.
Celestia sighed, ignited her horn, and opened the refrigerator without moving a muscle. Retrieving a pitcher of water, she placed it onto her desk carefully. Alongside it came a teacup and bag from on top of the refrigerator. After pouring water into the cup without even touching the pitcher, she looked at it in consideration. Gently setting it down, she dissipated her magic and opted to stand-up, gently take the pitcher into her hooves, and replace it into the refrigerator by hoof, before returning to her seat.
Not content with cold tea, she sighed, ignited her horn, and the cup was soon surrounded by her magical aura. There was no movement at first, until gradually the water sputtered, bubbled, and a thin strand of steam rose from it. After placing the tea bag inside, she ceased her magic.
Although time had taught her an openness to change, she grew weary of watching the things she had come to know fade, and be replaced. Quill becomes pen. Parchment becomes paper. Sorcery becomes Magic. The changes often came fast, and Celestia had to keep up. It only served to further distance her from her subjects.
Taking her cup of tea into her hooves, she cautiously sniffed for its fragrance before taking a sip, relishing the calming taste of chamomile as her thoughts continued. Despite the tranquility of her warm tea, her mind still drifted to somber thoughts.
If only her sister were here; she’d likely be able to relate to Celestia’s misgivings about the new as well. Celestia steeped - not unlike her tea - as she considered the past. The day she and her sister had fought, and she had banished her sister to the Moon, had been a long time ago. Although she was past the grieving by now, it still weighed on her mind from time-to-time. She took a sip from her tea, finding it depleted.
Of course, the following months afterward weren’t easy on anypony, herself least of all. She still didn’t understand what those craters, and the silhouette they had formed, had represented; though she was confident now that her initial theory had not proven correct.
This situation would call for another cup of tea.
Celestia stood from her desk, absentmindedly using her magic to assemble a new cup of tea as she approached the doors.
Taking a deep breath, she opened them. Slowly pushed to their sides, Celestia was met not by her pupil, but by a gray unicorn mare, one of the teachers in her employ. Her expression lightened... though, her mood was a bit more complicated. “Ah, is it time for our chat already, Professor Inkwell? My apologies, the hour must have passed me by.”
Before Celestia could welcome Inkwell inside, she took the initiative herself, hurrying inside. “Phoenix feathers , Celestia, I’m afraid I’m early. I had to let the students go early.” She seemed weary, and Celestia could tell Inkwell’s gait was heavy, and burdened. Celestia let her go about her business undeterred.
“That is unfortunate. May I ask why?” Celestia approached her desk, returning to her seat as Inkwell moved. The aging mare approached the refrigerator and retrieved a pre-made cup of dark tea sitting inside.
“Please, Princess, I need a moment. My aging heart can’t take it.” Inkwell replied with serious exhaustion. Celestia began to grow worried, although she did a fine job of keeping it in-check. She was, after all, a beacon of confidence for her subjects.
“Shall I-” Celestia began, gesturing at the cup in her hooves, her horn gently glowing in indication.
“So, may I ask what troubled your class?” Celestia asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
“Dreams, nightmares.” Inkwell promptly replied with a tired, weighted sigh. “Multiple of them. Pretty-big coincidence, ... if’n I believed in that kinda thing.” Her next sip of tea was heavy with subtext, as she looked unwaveringly at Celestia.
Celestia caught herself becoming visibly unnerved. Her hoof twitched, and she was forced to place down her own tea. No… it couldn’t be. Surely. “What… did they say?”
Inkwell noted Celestia’s dire tone, placing her tea down. “I tried to keep’n ’em calm, but … I’m afraid it’s her, Celestia. Your sister. I may be growin’ slow in age, but even I remember what you told me about her all those years ago. Dreams’n such?”
Celestia had, indeed, explained one night many, many years ago. It was during one of her few moments of weakness, but she had trusted Inkwell to keep it to herself - and she had, admirably.
Celestia was skeptical at first. This wasn’t the first time Professor Inkwell took things a little too seriously, and yet…
… No. The only way Luna could escape was through Celestia releasing her, she was sure of it. Sure, the time was approaching, but this was too soon.
Celestia had considered the idea that Nightmare Moon could, indeed, influence nightmares, even from her prison… but Celestia was sure by now that threat had passed, that she couldn’t do anything while imprisoned on the Moon…
… Even if she could, why would she? What does she have to gain from assaulting their subjects? Is this some petty revenge, or is there something more to her actions?
…
Celestia stood tall. “Come, Professor. Walk with me.” The two approached the door, each hoofstep bearing the weight of a hundred thoughts.
“I want you to tell the other teachers classes are canceled for the day. Students are to stay in their rooms.” Celestia stopped and looked at Inkwell. “And do not, under any circumstances, share what I have told you. I don’t want to cause a panic while I look into this.”
“Nothin’ to worry about, Princess. Y’made me promise way-back-then, I ain’t lookin’ to break it now.” With that, the two turned to leave… and the door flew open to reveal a pony dressed in a nurse’s uniform.
“Princess, thank goodness you’re here! We have an emergency in the clinic, we could really use your help!”
Ch. 3: Where The Answer Lies
“I thought you said you just saw trees?” Spike busily helped himself to a hastily-made sandwich as he walked alongside Twilight and Minuette, passing shelf-after-shelf of books: The library of Celestia’s school was sparsely populated otherwise.
“I… lied,” Twilight admitted, lowering her head as Minuette continued to scan the shelves. “I didn’t want to scare you.”
“Pff , come on Twilight. What do you take me for? … Just fire and glow-y eyes? Sounds like something out of Power Ponies! ” Spike shrugged his shoulders with a confident look… before stuffing his face with the rest of a daisy sandwich.
“I know, Spike, but something about this was different. It didn’t feel right.”
“Don’t sweat it, Twilight,” Spike replied, adding: “Seriously, don’t. I still smell like you from earlier.” Twilight rolled her eyes.
“She’s right, Spike,” Minuette added as she gently pushed a book back onto the shelf. “It took me nearly an hour to calm Lemon Hearts down after she woke up. She was shivering-up a storm, the poor thing.”
“Y’know, maybe this is just a spell-project gone wrong?” Minuette offered before putting a hoof to her chin. “I wonder if they’d get an A or an F for this?”
Twilight didn’t care to entertain the thought. “I doubt it. I’ve never heard of somepony controlling dreams before. If it has happened, it wouldn’t be a bunch of magic students.”
“Aw come on, Twilight. You’re telling me you couldn’t do this?” Spike gently nudged her leg.
“Of course not, Spike. I’m not that good.” Twilight replied with a bemused grin, which was quickly replaced by a discerning squint. “Would you two please be quiet for a moment?" She looked down to read through the book sat in front of her: Predictions and Prophecies.
“Moon, Moon, Moon… Mare in the Moon?” Something about that stood out to her. She flipped through to the right page, keen on any information.
“Is she… always like this out of class?” Minuette asked in a whisper.
“Only to her friends,” Spike added in anything but a whisper, eliciting a glare from Twilight who was otherwise too focused to protest otherwise. Minuette giggled quietly behind her hoof.
Predictions and Prophecies - Chapter 5: The Mare in The Moon
The Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the Moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!
Even if it were true, it's a little early.
“... We’re still a little ways off from ‘the thousandth year’,” Minuette mumbled over Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight looked back, and with a frustrated sigh, pressed the book closed and stood up.
“It’s just a myth anyway,” Twilight added as she returned the book to its shelf forcefully… then pulled it back out, checked it for damage, and returned it with a sheepish glance toward the librarian. Spike raised an eyebrow.
“I haven’t seen this much research since Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine began their study on Equestrian royalty,” Minuette explained. “You might’ve even outdone them.” She nudged Twilight’s shoulder with a grin.
Twilight ignored her, took a deep breath, and waved her hoof outward with a sigh. She then turned away from the two and held a hoof to her snout in deep thought. Okay, think. Both dreams and the Moon have been a dead end. What other commonalities are there? … Everypony had not dreams, but nightmares. Possibly all about monsters? Walking away from Minuette and Spike, she arrived in the section of the library dedicated to flora and fauna.
She would spend the next several minutes searching through the selection of books on offer, skimming quickly for anything similar to the creatures she encountered, any with dream powers. By the time Minuette and Spike found her, there were a dozen books stacked neatly on the floor, and several more enveloped in purple magic as they drifted around Twilight like a slow whirlpool.
“Should we…” Minuette moved toward Twilight, only to be stopped by Spike’s short arm.in the zone ,” Spike emphasized with a wave of his claws.
“You’re not just trying to get out of having to help, are you?” Minuette gave Spike a sly grin, and he was unable to reply. “Thought so,” Minuette concluded with a giggle. Before she could move to assist, the tornado gave-way, and books were - gently - scattered everywhere. Twilight slumped over, resting her head on a stack of books nearly her height. “There’s nothing here…”
Minuette sat down beside Twilight, looking into her sullen eyes. “Hey, uh… we haven’t tried everything yet.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight turned her head slightly to break eye-contact with Minuette; It made her uncomfortable.
“Weeell, we’ve tried your way… maybe now you’d be willing to try mine? ” Minuette offered with a gentle hoof to Twilight’s shoulder, which she promptly shrugged off. Minuette wasn’t deterred. “Maybe instead of burying our heads in books looking at the obvious stuff, we should see how everypony’s dreams differ.”
“Hey… yeah, that actually kinda makes sense. Maybe it’s like a puzzle, and the pieces will make more sense together?” This uncharacteristic show of reasoning from Spike got Twilight to raise her head and look at Minuette.
“How are we supposed to know what everypony else had dreamed?” Twilight retorted.
Minuette couldn’t help but grin mirthfully, trying and failing to hide it behind a hoof. “Seriously, Twilight? You really have been in books too long. We ask them.”
“Uh oh,” Spike interjected knowingly.
Twilight grunted in annoyance, though she knew Minuette was right. This may be the best option they’ve got. But she didn’t like it. Not a single bit. She’d tolerated Minuette to be courteous, but her patience was wearing out - and definitely couldn’t handle more than one other pony. Spike didn’t count. Besides, he was here to distract Minuette.
On cue, Spike waved a claw and turned to leave. “Well, good luck with that Twi! I’ll be back in our room. Later Minuette!” And with that, Spike disappeared around the corner.
“Twi?” Minuette giggled to herself, “I like that. Come on, Twi! We can try Lemon Hearts first.” Twilight begrudgingly stood-up, and the two used their magic to quickly and carefully return all the books to their proper places, Twilight needing to correct more than a few of Minuette’s placements. After a few minutes the two made for the door.
As they approached, it opened and Professor Inkwell stepped inside. “... I hope you two are goin’ to your rooms, because classes are canceled. Celestia’s orders.”
“Oh, of course Professor. We’re heading that way right now,” Minuette lied. Professor Inkwell nodded her head and passed the two as she continued into the library.
Minuette stepped out into the hallway, Twilight following behind begrudgingly. “She’s probably with Twinkleshine, working on that project I mentioned. Come on, this way.” The two would walk in silence for a while… at least, if Minuette let Twilight walk in peace.
“As part of our new friendship, it’s only fair that we-” Minuette began.
“We’re not friends,” Twilight hastily replied, something that only fueled Minuette’s bizarre determination.
“Whatever you say, Twi,” she chuckled before rephrasing: “Since we’re working together , it’s only fair we become familiar with each other. Y’know, so we can work better together .” She winked at Twilight, who looked away and walked ahead. Twilight hoped she would take a hint.
She didn’t.
“So, let me in on a little, age-old secret. Why’d you come to Celestia’s school?” Minuette asked the back of Twilight’s head. “Aside from learning about magic, I mean. Was it the books? I bet it was the books.” Minuette continued. “I came here to get away from my brothers.”
Twilight’s ear twitched, though she tried to keep that from Minuette’s attention. Brothers, multiple. Twilight wasn’t entirely sure what that was like, though if they were anything like Shining, she… supposed she wouldn’t mind having two.
“They’re okay and all,” Minuette added, “but they can be such jerks sometimes. But that’s just brothers, am I right?”
Twilight couldn’t stop herself from interjecting. “My big brother’s great, and he’s always been there for me.” … She stopped and silently scolded herself for biting. But it was too late as Minuette smiled slyly.
“Oo, you have a brother too? What does he do?” Minuette asked, genuine interest in her voice, at least as far as Twilight could tell. She hesitantly replied.
“He’s… in the Royal Guard,” Twilight explained, up-turning her snout in discipline. “He does... Important guard stuff… for the Princess….” Her voice trailed quiet near the end.
“Wow, guard, huh? He must be pretty busy,” Minuette replied knowingly.
“He… is,” Twilight replied with a somber expression.
“And you miss him, don’t you?”
“I… do,” Twilight sighed, her ears lowering in sequence. It’s been months since she and her brother had spent time together, his promise of some kind of promotion having taken all of his time lately.
“I can’t say I know what it’s like to miss a brother,” Minuette began, “Celestia-knows mine aren’t anywhere near royal quality,” she added, “But… I am sorry.”
Twilight looked up at Minuette, her face adorned with a genuine, sincere kind of smile. Twilight… wasn’t sure how to take this. “... Thank you,” she awkwardly replied, telling herself it was only social obligation. Right?
Not before long, Minuette finally stopped at a door. “What’s this?” Looking at it, taped to the middle of the door was some kind of note. Minuette leaned-in close to read it before Twilight got the chance.
“...’Gone to the nurse’s office, back in a few hours. Twinkleshine.’" Minuette turned to face Twilight. “Probably another headache. I keep telling her she needs glasses,” Minuette shrugged apologetically, and turned to lead the way again.
Twilight stamped her hoof. “Hold on,” she stopped Minuette.
Twilight turned her head downward to focus. It didn’t take long for Minuette to recognize what she was doing, and she placed herself beside Twilight in preparation. With heavy concentration, Twilight brought a magenta glow to her horn. Focus… the clinic, the clinic, the clinic… She then focused on herself, and the tips of her hooves gradually got all tingly. In only a moment’s time, a large flash of light seized her vision.
She fell onto her side, her thin coat barely protecting her from the hard, cold floor.
“Whooaa…”
She opened her eyes to see Minuette standing over her, with wide eyes.
“That. Was. Incredible!” She took Twilight’s hoof and pulled her up, Twilight nearly recoiling from the whiplash. “I haven’t met anypony here who could pull-off teleportation like that! You really are one smart cookie, Twilight Sparkle.” She gently nudged her. “All those books must’ve done more for you than I thought.”
Twilight grinned shyly, rubbing the back of her neck and looking away. “Uh… thanks. It still needs more work though, I keep forgetting to account for the rotational axis’...” Her voice trailed off as she looked around, seeing that they had, indeed, arrived in roughly the spot they expected. The doors of the clinic were just ahead. She felt a small flutter of accomplishment in her heart.
“Good thinking, by the way. My hooves were getting kinda sore anyway,” Minuette explained as she passed Twilight a sideways glance, a grin on her face after seeing Twilight’s own happy expression. Twilight looked away once she realized this.
Minuette threw the doors open and stepped inside. Twilight heard an audible gasp, and moved beside Minuette to look inside. Inside, she saw two mares looking back at her from the side of the room, one fraught with frustration, sitting on her haunches with crossed forehooves while her friend seemed deeply worried and distracted, slouching over.
Looking to Minuette, Twilight saw a distracted gaze. Following it to the center of the room, she barely recognized the cream-colored, red-maned mare.
Her old study partner, Moondancer, was lying motionless on the central bed.
An intense chill overcomes me, inside and out.
Yelping with sudden frostbite, I jump to my hooves. Opening my eyes, I discover a vast field of snow, a clearing in the middle of a forest. The Moon shines overhead, bathing the field in a dull light that stings against my coat.. I try to cast a spell for warmth. Struggling to make it work, my horn doesn’t do anything.
Looking for shelter, I notice a building in the distance, just on the edge of the forest. Gray and obscured in snow. I gallop towards it, but the deep snow bites at my hooves and threatens to stop me in my tracks.
Running past an overturned chariot and a series of barrels, I spot a window. With no other entrances in sight, I dive through it with what’s left of my strength. My hooves skid to a stop as I come face-to-face with a pony. I… recognize them.
“Twilight!” she exclaims. “We almost thought you didn’t make it in!”
I tilt my head.
“She looks like she’s freezing!” I am. To the side, two others stood together, an expression of worry on one of their faces.
“She doesn’t know it’s a dream yet,” the other reasoned.
... A dream?
Suddenly, clarity washed-over Twilight, lessening the cold and calming her shivering. “R-right, a dream!” With understanding came a warmth that melted what little snow remained on her coat. With that realization, a new sensation joined her.
It was a strange feeling; like being in two places at once... she could feel herself in bed, in the school's clinic, and yet… standing here didn't feel so unreal either.
“That warmed you right up!” Minuette acknowledged with a smile. Twilight politely reciprocated, but turned to the important matter at-hoof.
“Where’s Moondancer?” She asked, examining the room they found themselves in. A rectangular room of gray stone, dilapidated, dirty, and generally not all-together. A few wooden crates and barrels rested in the corners while a curved staircase dominated the middle of the structure, blocked by an upturned sofa. There were multiple windows like the one she leapt through. Lanterns hung on the walls, casting warm light that dissipated near the edges.
“None of us have seen her yet, but we know where to look next.” Lemon Hearts gestured to a wooden door in the corner.
Minuette approached it, giving it a firm kick with her hind legs, the door not budging an inch. “But none of us have been able to open it.”
“Our horns aren’t working either,” Twinkleshine added with frustration. Twilight turned back to the window she entered from, placing her front hooves on the sill.
“Let’s try to get around outside. Maybe there’s another window-”
Lemon Hearts slid her hoof between Twilight and the window. "We can’t. Even lucid, the moonlight out there hurts. There’s no way we’d be able to make it far enough.” Twilight didn't like that answer. Pushing Lemon's hoof aside, she prepared to climb through the window and make her own attempt. She was promptly interrupted.
Celestia’s voice echoed, distorted somewhat by the dreamscape. "Careful Twilight, your friends are right. I still possess the ability to alter this dream, to an extent. I will attempt to open the door from here, one moment." Her voice seemed to be coming from nowhere in particular.
"There's somepony out there!" Lemon Hearts called out. Peering through the window, she was soon joined by the others.
Twilight cautiously approached behind them. "Is it Moondancer?" Looking over everypony's shoulders, Twilight could barely make-out a figure stumbling through the snow.
"I'm afraid it is not," Celestia’s ethereal voice explained. "It would appear Nightmare Moon is raising forces in an attempt to stop us." Soon more figures rose from the snow, joining the first in a shambling trot toward them.
"How are we supposed to stop them without our horns?!" Twinkleshine asked, straining to elicit a spark from hers.
"Fret not, my little ponies. I will conjure a solution." Celestia sounded determined, a genuine concern for them, Twilight could tell. Minuette went back to attempting to kick the door open, while Lemon Hearts kept looking between everyone. Twinkleshine continued to strain her horn to cast something, anything, to no avail.
Twilight continued to observe the approaching - and growing - crowd outside. She could make them out more clearly now: they were ponies, for sure. However, their coats were dulled of color. Their disheveled manes in various states of distress. Their tails lashed furiously. Most of all, Twilight noticed each of them sported a set glowing, white eyes.
Wooden boards flew into place over the windows, startling Twilight into stumbling backwards.
Twinkleshine was first to the crate. Reaching inside with her mouth, she retrieved what seemed to be a simple, if somewhat bulky, metal ring. Taking it into her hoof, her eyes widened in realization, and she quickly slid it down her horn. Her horn gave a faint glow once the ring was in place. "Oh hay yeah!" She exclaimed, giving an experimental zap at the wall. "My horn works!"
The others followed-suit, taking identical rings from the box and putting each of them on. Twilight took one herself, inspecting it in her hooves. It was boxy and rugged, far from the elegant curves of decorative horn rings she had come to recognize. "A conductive metal, no visibly-apparent gems to collect or project magic... what are these?"
"I am having to work within the limits of the dream. I can't return your magic to you directly - but I can give you something to do it yourselves." Celestia's disembodied voice echoed. “Those ring will harvest the ambient dream magic and convert it into something usable.” After one more look-over, Twilight slid her horn ring on. She could feel a type of magic course into her horn.
“That’s a start,” Twilight mumbled to herself, her horn alight with power. She felt pleased.
"I'm afraid your magic will be limited. The dream is fighting me every step of the way." Celestia’s voice seemed to take on a tone of grave concern. "Stay strong, my ponies. Remember, this is only a dream and you will not be harmed - but the consequence of failure could be dire."
"They're coming!" Twinkleshine exclaimed, pointing a hoof toward one of the windows. One of the pseudo-ponies had reached it, and was forcibly working to remove the wooden barrier, an angry growl escaping its maw.
Twilight rushed over to the window, surging a purple streak across the room, hitting the monster square between the eyes. It vanished in a cloud of dark smoke that then turned into a golden mist. The mist surged into the ring around Twilight’s horn, causing her to tense-up. "What was that?!"
Twilight looked back to see Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine had all taken to the other windows, and were busy fending off their attackers. Twinkleshine was brave in her attacks, casting several spells in close proximity to the monsters. Counter to that, Lemon Hearts had stood back and seemed to be taking pot shots at her designated window, missing several of them.
Twilight returned her attention to the closest window, seeing more of the monsters approaching. She sent out magical blasts toward each of them, causing all of them to dissipate into smoke. With each elimination, she felt the magic in her horn grow more powerful. The sound of magical blasts filled the air, echoing through the room behind her, making one thing clear:
The siege had begun.
Twilight relied on her instincts: see a monster, attack it. She lost track of time with each blast. Each monster fell easily, but more rose to replace it. She was able to keep them away for the time being. Never turning away, she remained resolute and focused.
Twinkleshine’s horn was stuck out of the window, firing blasts with such ferocity that nothing was able to get close. The determination on her face dared the monsters to try.
Minuette’s attacks were slower, but she hit most of her targets. When one of the monsters pressed itself to the window and grasped at her, she stepped back, leveled her horn, and delivered an accurate blast. She would take the time to breath if she wasn’t busy holding her breath for the next shot.
Lemon Hearts had stood back against the wall, and was leveling shot-after-shot at the window, most hitting the frame or wooden boards. One-by-one the monsters were able to tear the boards down, and the next slinked through, falling to the floor.
With a terrified shriek, Lemon Hearts fired repeatedly, missing each shot as the monster rose to its hooves and lunged at her. “Help!” She called out.
Twilight turned around just in time to see Twinkleshine deliver a volley toward the monster, three shots in quick succession. When one of them impacted its side, the monster dissipated into smoke that pooled over Lemon Hearts, before turning to a gold shimmer and arcing across the room into Twinkleshine’s horn.
Twilight yelped with a stinging pain against her shoulder, stumbling back as she saw one of the monsters lashing at her. She fired an immediate blast, defeating it. With a quick glance at the room, she returned to looking out her window, finding nothing else out there.
One of the monsters hung onto the boards of Minuette’s window, and after taking aim, Minuette dropped the monster, a board going with it to the ground and disappearing in its smoke.
With that, silence suddenly took hold. Everyone was on edge, checking each of their windows for strays.
“Is… everypony alright!?” Minuette called out, finally content to turn around and inspect the room.
“I- I think so,” Lemon Hearts replied with a shudder, sliding into a sitting position against the wall and holding her hooves close.
Twinkleshine rubbed at her horn. “That was… tough,” she admitted, turning toward the others. “I thought dreams weren’t supposed to hurt!?”
“Oddly enough, this one’s a little different,” MInuette smirked toward Twinkleshine with a wink.
“I’ve had dreams hurt before, but nothing like that,” Twilight explained, rubbing her shoulder.
Lemon Hearts looked mortified. “Are you gonna be alright, Twilight?”
“Yeah, I think so,” Twilight replied. The sensation faded quickly, but she wasn’t eager to get trounced on by more of them. “What’s stranger is… I actually feel … more powerful.”
“Uh… Princess?” Minuette called out to the open air. “How’s the door coming along?”
Like a soothing beacon of hope, Celestia’s tone filled the room, washing away the eerie feeling the monsters left behind. It fueled their determination. “I believe I may have worked something out. Try your magic on the door, Twilight.”
Twilight approached the door, the others behind her. Lemon Hearts cowered behind the group, scared of what they may find. Twilight lowered her head, and her horn lit. A beam made contact with the door, and after a few moments time, the door swung open.
Twilight ceased her magic, and she sighed tiredly. “Now I… I feel weaker,” she admitted over her shoulder.
“These things absorb magic,” Minuette explained. “That’s what the golden mist is. Maybe opening the door, maybe you shed some of that magic?” She speculated.
“Maybe,” Twilight acquiesced. Come on, let’s go through.”
“Careful!” Lemon Hearts added from the back of the group, each one of them slowly making their way through the door.
“Let’s make sure they can’t follow,” Once on the other side, Minuette turned, and pushed her hoof against the door. It wouldn’t budge, so she tried harder. The door didn’t move an inch.
“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Twinkleshine grunted in frustration.
“At least it won’t lock us in,” Lemon Hearts offered hopefully.
“We’re already locked in! In the dream, in this stupid building…” Twinkleshine remarked.
“Would it have killed Nightmare Moon to hang a few oil lamps?” Minuette tsked as she walked further into the room, flashing a quick mood-lifting smile at the others. Twilight couldn’t help but feel a little less tense.
“Let’s focus,” Twilight replied, turning to the room and lighting her horn, coating it in a magenta glow. The room was empty of monsters, but had two windows, and a pillar in the middle. A staircase led up to another door.
A series of muffled growls punctuated the silence, and told Twilight everything she needed to know. She stepped up to take charge; “Okay, Lemon Hearts try the door. Minuette, Twinkleshine, pick a window and get ready.”
“Gotcha,” Minuette replied, bounding off to a window.
“You don’t need to tell me twice,” Twinkleshine retorted, taking up position at hers.
Twilight turned back to the door they came through, already seeing a group of the monsters coming toward it. Magical blasts surged in her ears from behind.
Twilight chose a target and fired a blast. The monster flinched, but continued to walk. She fired twice-more. The monster finally vanished.
“They’re soaking it up!” Twinkleshine shouted from behind, peppering one with a successive three blasts that ended only the one monster.
“Aim for the face!” Minuette shouted back, leveling her monsters with a single well-placed shot each.
Twilight took after Minuette, and began precisely calculating her shots through the doorway. Although a few missed, the rest landed, and the mob thinned. She could feel power returning to her.
“I can’t get it open!” Lemon Hearts called out. Once she turned away from the door, she gasped as she saw Twinkleshine was forced to back away, monsters clearing her window.
Twilight turned to help, but was interrupted by a series of growls. She saw more coming from the opened door. She had to focus. Trust the others, she told herself. Lemon Hearts whined as she began to fire blasts at the monsters cornering Twinkleshine.
“Min, look out!” Twinkleshine called over the mob just as monsters from her window came up behind Minuette. Minuette recoiled in pain as several of their hooves made contact at once. Wincing with a sharp inhale, Minuette wasn’t able to aim her shots.
Lemon Hearts picked up her pace, charging beam-after-beam at a rate that’d make even Twinkleshine proud. She made her way toward Minuette, who was quickly buckling. Lemon Hearts could see more of the monsters at Minuette’s window, tearing down boards.
Twinkleshine fired from her corner, hitting more shots than not. She was safe for now, but surrounded. “Twilight!” she called out. Twilight looked between the group and the opened doorway, and with little hesitation rushed over.
Twilight stood beside Lemon Hearts as the two attacked the monsters lording over Minuette. Twilight could hear winces, grunts, and gasps of pain from the twitching blue shape hidden among the gray. “There’s more than last time!” she called out through the pain.
Twilight and Lemon Hearts together made quick work of the monsters over Minuette. Twilight looked over her shoulder, spotting more pooling from the opened doorway. She turned to hold them off as Lemon moved to help Minuette.
Minuette flickered in place, as-if she were about to be forced out of the nightmare entirely. Doing the only thing she could think of, Lemon Hearts aimed her horn and cast a spell at Minuette. After a moment’s time, it seemed to work, stabilizing her. Minuette looked over to see Twinkleshine had cleared herself from the corner.
“Get the door!” Twilight called out as more poured from the windows. After Lemon Hearts helped Minuette up, the three backed up the stairs, Twilight tailing behind them. The group fired multiple blasts into the oncoming crowd.
As more of the monsters shambled toward them, time seemed to slow. Twilight’s hooves grew chilly against the stone floor, and her horn ached with an arctic chill. She could hear the others shivering, but it only fueled her determination to empty the room.
With a loud creak, the door behind them swung open, Twinkleshine’s horn fizzling with residual energy. “Back it up!” she called out to the others. Once they were all through the door, they focused their efforts on the new bottleneck.
The shambling monsters, try as they might, could not get past the doorway. Each one fell into a thick cloud of smoke and vanished in a golden mist. The doorway was nothing but a mess of growls, billowing smoke, and beams of light as one-after-another fell.
“Why’re there so many!?” Lemon Hearts called out over the cacophony of sounds.
“What’re we gonna do, Twilight?!” Minuette called out, backing up.
“Princess,” Twinkleshine called out to nowhere, “we could use some help here!”
“Please!” Lemon Hearts added.
For the longest time, there was no reply, and the group were forced to fend for themselves. Until suddenly, the constant trail of golden mist coalesced into a bright, golden orb that glowed with yellow light. It kinda reminded Twilight of the Sun.
“Touch it!” the Princess’s voice called out to them. It sounded strained, muffled through some kind of barrier.
Twilight quickly ducked under the group’s spellcasting and lunged for the orb. As soon as she made contact, the orb convulsed, and burst into energy, washing over the room like a wave. Every monster it touched dissipated immediately, and soon enough the doorway was cleared with a deafening boom. For the time being, silence regained the soundscape.
Twilight fell to a sitting position, breathing deeply. The others reciprocated in kind.
“We can’t keep… going like this… where’s Moondancer!?” Twinkleshine stressed between breaths.
“We have to be getting close,” Lemon Hearts whined. “Poor Moondancer, all alone in this…”
“Princess?” Twilight got up. “Princess, please tell me you’re there.”
Silence.
“I… am here. It is getting harder to get through to you. I believe you’re getting close.”
“To Moondancer?” Twilight asked.
“To Nightmare Moon’s influence…” Celestia clarified.
“Well, the two have to be together, right?” Minuette suggested.
“What would Nightmare Moon want with Moondancer, anyway?” Lemon Hearts shivered.
“I don’t know…” Twilight put a hoof to her chin. After a moment she looked up at the new room they had entered. There was an open doorway ahead, and through it a hallway that seemed to go left and right. Directly opposite the door, a pair of small windows. Approaching the left window, Twilight looked out of it and gasped.
Down below, in the middle of an outdoor courtyard surrounded on all sides by the structure, a dark figure floated. With a coat dark as night, and armor covering portions of her body, the resemblance was obvious, further punctuated by a crescent Moon cutie mark:
Nightmare Moon.
“And look, there’s Moondancer!” Twilight saw Minuette at the other window, pointing. Below Nightmare Moon’s large form, Moondancer laid curled up, her hooves over her head.
“What’s she doing to her!?” Twinkleshine growled over Twilight’s shoulder. Twinkleshine shoved Twilight aside and attempted to break the window. Her horn bounced off harmlessly, and her magic dissipated against the window harmlessly. “This is useless! We have to get down there!”
A raucous cackle rang out from the courtyard, and in an instant a barrier of energy sprung up beside Twilight. She stumbled backward, Twinkleshine catching her before she fell over entirely. “Easy, don’t lose your hooves yet!”
“We’re cut off!” Minuette’s muffled voice sounded through the barrier. Twinkleshine and Minuette both tried to blast through the barrier, and soon Lemon Hearts and Twilight joined in. All four of them together were unable to bring it down.
Before they could attempt anything else, a voice spoke to them, echoing in an unnatural cadence previously unknown to the ponies. “So… Celestia thinks she could send a couple of weak magic students to stop me?”
Everyone turned back to the window, and were greeted by Nightmare Moon’s glowing gaze. Her teeth were bared into a wicked grin, her eyes glowing with pure, white energy. With a humored cackle she looked off into the distance. “What’s wrong Celestia? Art things not going according to thou plan!? Art thou desperate!?”
She turned the other direction. “Thou planned to release me under the guise of ‘prophecy’... I have something far greater! True prophecy, and something far greater to rule over! Equestria is merely a stepping stone!” Twilight turned back to the window. Celestia… planned to release her?
“We need to get moving,” Twinkleshine whispered over Twilight’s shoulder.
“But what about them!?” Twilight looked back through the barrier at Minuette and Lemon Hearts. Lemon Hearts was still watching the window with worry, while Minuette was inspecting her surroundings, checking the hallway.
“They’ll be fine, I trust them! And if we can get to Moondancer all of us can leave the dream together!” As Twinkleshine led Twilight down their respective hallway and around the corner, Twilight stopped and looked toward Minuette; Minuette looked back and waved Twilight away, she disappeared around the corner ushering Lemon Hearts along.
“Insolent foals… thou do not know what thee is up against!” A guttural laugh filled the air, and as Minuette and Twilight began to work on the next door, Nightmare Moon’s tone shifted, deepening into a tone Twilight thought unreachable by ponies…
“FETCH ME THINE SOULS!”
What Twilight expected to see were more of the monsters bounding the corner. But she didn’t hear a mass of hoofsteps. Instead, she heard a single set… readying her horn as it rounded the corner, Twilight’s determination turned to horror.
At the end of the hallway stood a pony-shaped monster, covered in violet flames. A branching horn, with glowing white eyes. A scaly carapace.
With a startled yelp she fired her magic, bumping into Twinkleshine in the process, who turned to chide her. “Hey, watch it! … What the hay?”
The monster rushed down the hallway, trailing flame the entire way. With a few more shots, the monster fell over, flickered in and out, and vanished. just as Twinkleshine opened the door behind them.
“Come on!”
The two began to run the length of the building, weaving in and out of the hallways and rooms along the way. More of those fire monsters attacked from windows, doors, seemingly appearing from nowhere in a flash of light.
Twilight wasn’t as useful at this moment as she cared to admit. Her hoof tips felt chilly, her coat getting colder, her fear heightened. Her heart raced, her breath paced with each shot, with each new monster. To Twinkleshine’s credit, she made up for Twilight’s shortcomings and kept the two safe.
“Don’t thou foals see? Thou fear is the fuel I need to lay ruin to you all! And Moondancer here has been a wonderful well of fear and insecurity…” Through a series of windows along the way, Twilight could see Minuette and Twinkleshine on the opposite side of the courtyard making progress. They were a little bit behind, but they were keeping up otherwise.
They finally reached another door, and with testing from their magic, neither of them were able to open it. They’d be forced to take a stand here for the moment. Twinkleshine and Twilight both put their backs against the door and leveled their horns.
“Alright Twilight, here’s what we’re gonna do. I’ll go fast, loosen them up a little. You go for the heads and finish them off.” Angered growls came from the other end of the hallway, and Twinkleshine charged her horn.
“I-I don’t know if I can…” Twilight admitted. “These… These are the monsters from my nightmare!”
“We’ve seen worse today,” Twinkleshine retorted. “I know you’re not as accurate as Minuette, but… just do whatever egghead stuff it takes to level your aim, alright!?”
“R-right…” Twilight took note of the hallway, the distance. The height of the monsters. Her horn’s angle. Time seemed to slow as the first monster leapt around the corner. Twinkleshine was already peppering it as Twilight got her shot off. It was a successful hit, and the monster flickered, vanishing.
“Why didn’t it-...?”
“Thy have already gained much information, and so, so much more than that!” Nightmare Moon lorded over Moondancer’s limp form. “Although I have failed to corrupt thine friend, I shall still achieve victory over you miserable whelps!”
“Will somepony shut her up already?!” Twinkleshine protested, opening the door behind them. Twilight took time to catch her breath, backing into the next room behind Twinkleshine, and they met the corner. They were finally on the other side of the building. Here, the hallway turned and merged with Minuette and Lemon Hearts’. Twilight cast a worried glance down the hallway.
“Soon enough I will be inside each of thine heads, my little pony… you cannot escape thine own nightmares!” Nightmare Moon echoed with deep laughter. Twilight’s ear twitched, sensing another layer to her voice that she hadn’t heard before.
Twinkleshine led the two along down the hall, through an opened doorway, and found a staircase down to the bottom floor. Growls emanated down the hallway, and soon enough the next wave had begun pouring in, lashing and snarling on approach.
Twinkleshine began to cast, and that was when Twilight spotted something above the door; some kind of loose cabling. Blasting it with her horn, the doorway found itself doused in various magical currents. When the horde reached it, they attempted to cross through the new barrier, and dissipated into smoke for their trouble.
“That’ll buy us some time,” Twilight turned to Twinkleshine.
“Nice thinking, but I doubt she’ll let that stand for long,” Twinkleshine chided the closest window. “Let's hurry and get down there.”
“Wait, what about Minuette and Lemon Hearts?” Twilight asked, gesturing toward the other doorway opposite the one they just blocked off.
“They’ll be fine either way! Either they’re ahead, behind, or they’ve woken up! Now come on! ” Twinkleshine ushered Twilight down the stairs, and they soon found themselves at the threshold of the courtyard. Twilight checked the sky, finding no sign of Nightmare Moon.
In the center of the courtyard, across a series of stones, laid Moondancer. Twilight could see her open her eyes, twitch, and close them again. Twilight stepped out to her, but was forced to retreat when she felt a biting sensation in her hoof. That’s when she noticed the courtyard was bathed in moonlight, coating it in a thin layer of ice.
“We have to get to her!” Twilight shouted to Twinkleshine. She was interrupted by the sound of shambling down the stairs, it would seem the monsters have found a way around.
“Go, I’ll hold them off!” Twinkleshine ran back to the bottom of the stairs. She and Twilight shared a nod, and turned to the tasks at hoof.
As Twilight heard various magical blasts behind her, she took a deep breath, steeled herself for the pain ahead, and took her first steps out into the moonlit courtyard. Each step froze against her hoof, and her mane and coat soon found themselves unnaturally chilly, frostbite approached quickly, and Twilight picked up her pace toward Moondancer.
It was so… so quiet here… as if sound stopped at the entryway. There was nothing but an eerie silence around Twilight and Moondancer, and Twilight was forced to break it.
“Moondancer-!” she called out to her.
“I won’t,” Moondancer coughed on the ground, “fall for any more of your tricks, you monster!” Her eyes were closed, her glasses on the ground beside her, one of the lenses cracked.
Twilight recoiled. “Moondancer, it’s me, it’s Twilight Sparkle!”
“That’s what you said the last dozen times!” she retorted. “I know Twilight, she might be distant, but she’s not a monster like you!” Moondancer whined.
Twilight noticed she was covered in frost and ice crystals. How long has she been here…?
“I WON’T HELP YOU, AND IF STAYING ASLEEP IS WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP YOU FROM HURTING HER, THEN I’LL STAY ASLEEP!”
… Moondancer had been protecting her. But why did Nightmare Moon care about Twilight so much, she wondered. Twilight held a hoof to her heart, her cheeks raised and her mouth agape, thoughts spiraling through her head. Frostbite eventually woke her from her stupor.
“I don’t need your help!” Twilight replied; “I’m here to help you!”
Moondancer blinked, lifted her head, and squinted. “W-wha-?” Twilight held out her hoof, and Moondancer stared at it. “Twilight…?”
“I’m here,” Twilight spoke softly, her eyebrows raised with worry, but a comforting smile on her face.
“TWILIGHT!” Twilight turned to see Lemon Hearts tumble down the stairs, and passed several monsters, narrowly missing Twinkleshine. When Lemon Hearts flickered and vanished, Twinkleshine had run to the doorway and been forced out into the cold. Between the cold and the monsters hot on her tail, hitting her repeatedly, Twinkleshine collapsed, flickered, and vanished.
Twilight turned back to Moondancer when she heard a gasp. “Twinkleshine…?”
Twilight turned back to Moondancer. “Please, take my hoof! You have to wake up, now!”
“H-how do I know this isn’t another trick? What if you just want me to wake up to control me or something!?”
“Moondancer, I’m NOT Nightmare Moon! It’s… it’s taken me a while to see it, but I haven’t tried to be a good friend to you! I haven’t been a good friend to anypony, I didn’t think I needed any friends, but… now I know I do! And… and I guess you never lost faith in that… look, I’m here now! I’m here to help you!”
Moondancer looked around, checking the sky, the monsters quickly approaching the two of them, and Twilight herself. After a moment of hesitation, Moondancer took her hoof, and in an instant everything vanished into a bright white light.
…
“Wait…”
…
… “She’s coming out of it!”
“They’re waking up, Twilight did it!”
Twilight gasped, suddenly sitting up from the bed. Rubbing her eyes with deep breaths, she was met with the eyes of Lemon Hearts and Minuette, grinning down at her. “It was touch-and-go there for a moment, Twilight. Once I went down and Lemon Hearts ran, I thought that was the end of it.”
“I told you I was sorry!” Lemon Hearts replied with an apologetic whine and hooves over her face.
Minuette gently bumped her shoulder with a playful smile and a nod. “Hey, we made it.”
Twilight reciprocated a small smile to the two of them, then turned to look at the rest of the room. Twinkleshine was by Moondancer’s bed. Moondancer sat up, took the glasses from her bedside table, and put them on. With a few blinks, she looked in Twilight’s direction.
“So… it wasn’t a trick,” Moondancer replied. Twilight could see tears gather in her eyes.
“It wasn’t,” Twilight replied. “I meant every word of it.”
Moondancer gave a few quiet sobs. “T-thank you…”
Twinkleshine looked across to Twilight with a smile, and gave a quiet nod.
“Thank you all,” Celestia stood straight, exhaustion evident in her eyes. “I have never seen such strong convictions between friends before today. You’ve done more than I could have ever asked of any of my subjects.”
“Oh, it was nothing, Princess.” Minuette replied with a half-salute, which Lemon Hearts mimicked with a bow. Twinkleshine and Moondancer both breathed sighs of relief.
Twilight’s eyes lit up with approval, and looked to all of her… friends. To see them happy, to know she helped to make that happen, it was a wonderful feeling she did not know until today.
But…
“Princess, I worry this isn’t the end of this…” Twilight began. “She… Nightmare Moon said,” Celestia held up a hoof to stop her.
“I know, Twilight… I heard everything. I’m not sure how she managed to escape her imprisonment, but I was aware a time like this was coming.”
“What did she mean, that it wasn’t going according to your plan…?” Minuette asked.
“-I was aware a time like this was coming. I have been making preparations for a long time to stop Nightmare Moon.” Celestia’s head tilted downward, and Twilight could’ve sworn she heard a whisper.
“Princess… if I may,” Moondancer spoke up, holding up a hoof as she sat straight-up in bed. “Nightmare Moon… she’s found something.”
“Found something?” Celestia tilted her head, confused, intrigued.
“I’m not sure, just… I think there’s a lot more going on in her head than you think,” Moondancer replied with uncertainty.
“Do you know anything she’s planning?”
Moondancer put a hoof to the bridge of her muzzle, thoughtfully. “I… I don’t know. She’s close to getting what she wanted, but… I think she’s tired. She… I think she’s gone for the time being.”again .”
Suddenly, the door to the clinic opened, an armor-clad royal guard just beyond it. “Princess! Sunset Shimmer, she’s attacked several guards… she’s gone crazy!” Twilight turned to Celestia in time to see a flash of light emanate from her horn and envelop the room.
For the first time that day, Twilight noticed Minuette with an expression of genuine concern. No mirth, no sly jokes. Just worry. Nopony said anything as Minuette moved over to the bed to get a closer look, leaving Twilight standing in the doorway awkwardly.
The frustrated, ivory-colored mare resting against the corner-wall broke the silence. “So, it takes falling into a coma to get Twilight Sparkle’s attention,” her voice was sharp and snide, her forehooves crossed and a scowl across her face.
“Hey, being upset doesn’t give you an excuse to take it out on anypony, Twinkleshine,” the yellow one - whom Twilight reasoned was Lemon Hearts - stood up straighter in her seat, then turned to Twilight and gave her an apologetic smile, though it soon faded as her eyes drifted back to Moondancer’s limp form.
Before Twilight could ask what she meant, Minuette changed the subject. “What’s wrong with her?” She asked, standing over the bed and not looking-away from Moondancer. Behind her, a dark sweater and glasses sat messily on the bedside table.
Twinkleshine’s expression didn’t lighten. “She wasn’t in class this morning, so I went to check on her. Lyra says she wouldn’t wake up, so we brought her here.”
“And then I came looking for Twinkleshine after she didn’t show up for class,” Lemon Hearts chimed in, her soft voice full of concern and tension. Minuette motioned for Twilight to join her side, and Twilight hesitated for a moment - but did.
“Where’s the nurse?” Twilight asked, curious to hear a thorough diagnosis.
“She went to get Princess Celestia as soon as Lemon arrived,” Twinkleshine explained.
Looking down at Moondancer, Twilight felt a small tinge of familiarity. Vague memories of obligatory group-projects returned to her, and she felt sympathy for the mare whom she worked with. She wasn’t… complete trouble. Twilight reached out a caring hoof.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Twinkleshine explained, prompting Twilight’s hoof to stop in mid-air.
“Why?” Twilight asked, withdrawing her hoof slowly.
“You’ll see,” Twinkleshine replied unhelpfully as she looked down at the ground with a frustrated expression. Twilight looked to Lemon, who could only shrug with uncertainty. Nonetheless, no one wanted to risk prompting a demonstration. Minuette and Twilight both took a step back.
Nopony spoke for a while, everyone but Twinkleshine looking at Moondancer. The room was quiet, and cold. Twilight was surprised to see Minuette was capable of taking things seriously. She was impressed.
“So why is she here?” Twinkleshine asked without breaking eye-contact with the very interesting floor tiles.
“Actually , we were gonna talk to Lemon,” Minuette retorted, chiding Twinkleshine’s tone, motioning for Twilight to follow her over to the seats against the wall. The two took seats beside Lemon.
Lemon Hearts looked sullen, but she tried to smile politely anyway. “Talk to me about what? I… could use a distraction,” she admitted uncomfortably, finally breaking her sight away from Moondancer. Minuette placed a hoof on Lemon’s shoulder. Twilight found it interesting, the care she showed reminded her of something. But what?
In a gentle voice that betrayed her more care-free demeanor, Minuette answered. “Are you okay with talking about your nightmare?”
Twilight could see Lemon shiver, her fur standing on-end in places. Minuette was quick to begin gently stroking her back; “Hey, hey, it’s okay, everything’s fine,” she comforted.
“I… I don’t know if that’s the kind of distraction I want,” Lemon admitted uneasily, glancing around the room with a new nervous energy. She must have had it worse with the fear, Twilight reasoned. It’s still affecting her.
“I know, but… the two of us have been looking-into it, we think it was more than a simple nightmare.” Minuette’s soft voice and slow manner of speaking reminded Twilight of…
… Of taking care of Spike, she realized with surprise.
She didn’t have to be as gentle these days, but only a few years ago she had to learn to be a lot more patient and caring for his sake. Naturally, she had taken inspiration from her old foalsitter, though she hardly compared.
Maybe… she and Minuette have a fair bit in common after all, Twilight reasoned in her mind. It didn’t mean much! But it is… something, she accepted.
“-Twilight?” She looked up to see both Lemon and Minuette looking at her. “...Do you want to explain?” Minuette was using that same gentle voice she had used on Lemon, whether because she had just spoken to Lemon or not, Twilight was unsure.
“Um, yes, I can.” Twilight cleared her throat and spoke in as matter-of-fact a voice she could muster. “I had a nightmare as well, and discovered that I wasn’t the only one. I have been able to confirm that approximately 14 other students have too, at the very least. And there was a common element.”
Minuette moved to wrap her shoulder around Lemon - who currently wore wide eyes and a slack jaw - then beckoned for Twilight to continue. Twilight hesitated, but nonetheless continued:
“Several of the dreams featured the Moon, and-”
Suddenly Twilight heard a loud thump behind her punctuated by a scream from Lemon Hearts. Twilight turned to see Moondancer twitching- no, thrashing on the bed. Her horn sparked and glowed erratically as her limbs flailed all around, nearly threatening to fall out into the floor.
“Not again!” Before Twilight could do anything, Twinkleshine jumped to her hooves and braced herself as her horn began to glow turquoise. Moondancer became wrapped in her magic, and Twinkleshine grunted as she struggled to keep her still. Twilight moved to help, and joined her magic with Twinkleshine’s. Once Moondancer was held, Twilight noticed her eyes seemed to flick-about under her eyelids, and her ears continued to twitch. Twilight carefully approached her before-
“Keep back!” Twinkleshine pointed a hoof at Moondancer, and Twilight noticed her horn was still sparking, threatening to send magical blasts all over the room any-second now. Twilight refocused her efforts on containing Moondancer’s magic, forming a small protective bubble over her horn.
Underneath, Moondancer’s horn shook and fizzled, then glowed intensely, until finally it unleashed a beam of magical energy. It nearly broke through Twilight’s magic immediately, but she held. Why is her magic so powerful!? Twilight could hardly contain it, straining with a quiet whine.
After a few more moments of struggle, Moondancer suddenly calmed and her horn fizzled out, returning to the unconscious, immobile state she was previously in. Twilight and Twinkleshine gradually ceased their magic once the coast was clear. Twinkleshine was breathing heavily, and Twilight dropped to a sitting position, holding a hoof to her aching horn.
A part of Twilight felt bad that the poor thing had to see that at all. She turned to look back at Moondancer, but hesitated, almost paranoid that merely glancing at her would trigger another episode. She settled for a sideways glance.
Twilight had never seen anything like that before. As much as she tried to focus on thinking through what just happened logically, something inside kept her from being able to. It almost felt… wrong to distance herself from the situation and analyze it. Something nagged at her, but she couldn’t quite recall, the shock of the situation still over her.
“She’d... probably be glad you’re here,” Twinkleshine said in as-relaxed a voice she was capable of. As Twilight was broken from her thoughts, she quickly realized that in her attempt to partially glance at Moondancer, Twilight had been facing Twinkleshine the entire time. The two were sitting practically beside each other. Despite her voice, Twinkleshine’s scowl had softened.
“Who? Moondancer? Why…?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You mean you don’t know? Oh pony-feathers , I thought you had to be perceptive if you kept your head buried in books all the time, but... I guess not...” Twinkleshine chuckled quietly, emptily. It sounded forced. “Must be near-sighted, Celestia knows you don’t let anypony get close enough” she mumbled humorously. Twilight took exception to that.
“She practically adores you,” Twinkleshine explained. “Does her mane look familiar to you? At all?”
Twilight, with some effort, overcame the taboo of looking at Moondancer. Examining her mane, disheveled as it was, she could just make out something familiar. The even cut, the partition by the horn. Suddenly it hit her.
Moondancer’s mane… was exactly the same as her’s.
“But… why?” was all Twilight could say as she continued staring, squinting, as if trying to see a whole other pony on that bed.
“No clue,” Twinkleshine replied with an exacerbated sigh and a large shrug, her hooves upturned into the air for a short moment. Twilight tilted her head with a raised eyebrow. “She’s been like that ever since we were foals.” She once-again looked at Twilight. “... You really had no idea?”
“... No, no I didn’t…” Twilight’s confused expression gradually shifted. At first it was confusion, then a small smile. Pride, almost, her eyes turning glassy. Pride soon turned to guilt, her ears lowering and a downtrodden expression adorning her face. Glassy eyes threatened to become worried tears.
Twinkleshine let-out a mixture between a sigh and a groan, and spoke up. “Look, I won’t hold it against you. She probably won’t either. Just… stick around until she’s better, alright? For her?”
Twilight glanced up at Twinkleshine with guilt. “I… I can’t, I’m busy researching the…” the dreams. Wait a second… Suddenly, Twilight raised herself up. “She’s dreaming!”
“What?” Twilight turned to see both Lemon Hearts and Minuette facing her, Lemon wiping tears from her eyes.
“The convulsions! The trigger word, it all makes sense!” How couldn’t she have seen it before? “She must be stuck in a nightmare!” Twilight proudly declared, before apologetically grinning, realizing she had gotten a bit too excited about the situation.
“That sounds horrible!” Lemon Hearts interjected, finally standing up from her chair and leaving Minuette’s hooves, her face adorned with worry.
“That’s a start,” Twinkleshine admitted. “But what do we do about it?”
“Why were you and everypony else able to wake up when she couldn’t?” Minuette asked.
“I don’t know…” Twilight replied thoughtfully, then looked to Lemon Hearts. “It could really help if we had some more information to check against, Lemon Hearts.”
Everyone looked to Lemon Hearts, who shrunk a little under the pressure. “I-I don’t know-”
Minuette spoke-up first. “Everything’ll be fine, Lem, we’re here for you. Just please tell us about your nightmare,” Minuette insisted as gently as she could.
“If it could help Moondancer, I insist,” Twinkleshine added roughly, earning a short glare from Minuette.
“... Okay, okay, I’ll… do it.” She turned, and took a seat in her chair again. Minuette joined her side, while Twilight and Twinkleshine watched from in front, Twilight listening intently. With some difficulty, Lemon worked up the courage to speak-up.
“I… was in some sort of old castle. I was trying to put together a puzzle, but it was… it was like I had two different sets of pieces, and I couldn’t figure out which ones went with each other...” Lemon Hearts gestured with her hooves.
“A puzzle of what, exactly?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t know! … Equestria? Someplace else? That’s what it felt like, anyway…” She continued. “But I knew I… I had to make them…. fit. Somepony was in danger, and putting this puzzle together could save them! So… So I made the pieces fit.”
“You made them fit?” Twinkleshine tilted her head.
“I tried to. All I had left was… one piece, a… a piece that didn’t… feel right, it felt… it felt, it felt warm, hot, and… when I put it in … all the others shifted. So I squeezed them back together.”
“What happened when you finished it?” Minuette asked, a hoof around Lemon Hearts’ shoulder.
“I I thought I had finished it, but… then I noticed pieces were… missing. I checked everywhere, but I couldn’t find them! And that’s when I saw…” She shivered, and Minuette lightly patted her shoulder. “I saw this… face , in the…” she leaned close and whispered… “Moon! There was this unicorn… in the craters. And I felt so cold! So I shut the curtains.”
Twilight shivered. Minuette noticed.
“When I looked back at the… at the puzzle, it… the pieces, they started moving around by themselves, rearranging. I tried to… tried to fight them, I tried to get the pieces to stay in the right places, but I couldn’t! And then… one of the pieces flew through a door, and out into a hallway, so… I chased after it.”
“... But there was… something in there with me. A shadowy monster… It was… looking for the piece too. When it saw me, it…-”
Twilight interrupted with a polite voice. “... What did it look like?” Minuette raised an eyebrow, but Lemon Hearts gestured apologetically.
“It was… tall. Dark. Glowing eyes. That’s all I could see. Anyway, it… it chased me. And I ran. I turned, and closed a door behind me, I was trying to hide… but, the window was open. I started to freeze, the moonlight, it was just… just so cold …”
“I… I had to leave the room in a hurry. I nearly…” she whined, “I almost bumped into her… the- the monster…” she clarified with a worried glance at everyone else.
“I ran, and… and I finally found the piece. And… and the puzzle was there too, it wasn’t where I left it. When the piece fell into place, there was a flash of light, and the piece disappeared- it… it turned into a pony.”
“Do you know who they were?” Twinkleshine asked.
“No, no… I can’t… I can’t remember,” Lemon Hearts explained. “But they started to float. They started to change, and they… they went… through the ceiling.”
“Like… she destroyed it?”
“No, no it wasn’t like that… they just… phased through it. I didn’t… I didn’t have much time… time to look, because I turned around, and… I saw… Her . The monster. She stood there, looking at me, with this… this awful smirk…”
Lemon Hearts wrapped her front hooves around herself. “There was… it was like there was this… stormcloud above her, this… swirling energy. Three different colors… purple, black, and… and… I didn’t even recognize the last color… it felt evil.”
“And she… she-” Lemon Hearts began to tear up, burying her head in her hooves.
“That’s alright, Lem, that’s… you don’t have to say anything else.” Minuette comforted. Nonetheless, Lemon Hearts looked up from her hooves to say one last thing.
“I… I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was… it was Nightmare-! She was just… just horrible!” Minuette stroked Lemon’s back while Twinkleshine sighed in frustration, holding up a hoof to stop Lemon Hearts, and then motioning toward Moondancer.
“Nightmare...," Twinkleshine looked at Twilight. "I mean, "you-know-who… the Nightmare Night pony?” Twilight asked.
“... Except she’s not just the Nightmare Night pony,” Twinkleshine explained. “Lemon Hearts, me and her were researching Equestrian royalty, and she was one of them.”
“What?” Minuette asked.
“She used to be a ruler, her and her sister. She got upset because her sister took all the credit, so she tried to take over Equestria, and she was banished you-know-where by her sister.” Twinkleshine crossed her hooves. “ …What’s with the looks?”
Twilight and Minuette turned to share a knowing glance. “The Mare, from the prophecy.”
“What mare?” Lemon Hearts wiped her eyes, looking between them both.
Twilight went on to explain, “It’s a prophecy about somepony imprisoned... there, who's supposed to return soon.”
“Soon!?” Lemon Hearts whimpered.
“We thought she was a myth,” Minuette added. “But I guess she’s… Nightmare… ”
“Mare in the… wait! The face, the one we saw on the surface of... y'know, in our dreams! It has to be her!”
“You think she can cause all this?” Twinkleshine motioned toward Moondancer, unconscious on the bed. “Nightmares?”
“Well, it is in the name,” Minuette added with a shrug.
“And for good reason.” Everypony turned toward the doors to see Princess Celestia enter, a dire expression on her face as the nurse squeezed in, past her, as all but Twinkleshine bowed. “She is indeed real.”
“How is she?” The nurse asked, approaching Moondancer’s bed and beginning to check-up on her.
“More convulsions, but we took care of her,” Twinkleshine nodded in Twilight’s direction before moving to assist the nurse.
Twilight stood up to get Celestia’s attention. Once Celestia turned to face her, she bowed. “Princess, we think she is stuck in a nightmare.”
“That’s unlike Nightmare M-",
Twinkleshine waved a hoof, then shook her head.
"... but I previously thought the same about these attacks,” Celestia explained somberly.
“Attacks?” Lemon Hearts asked with a shiver.
“The nightmares everypony has been having,” Celestia clarified. “She is targeting everyone. Why, I am not sure… nor why she would trap one of our subjects in the dream realm…” Twilight’s ear twitched.
“So what can we do, Princess?” Minuette stepped-up, chest pushed-out in a sense of duty.
“I believe the only way to rescue your friend is to go into her dream directly. I have a limited understanding of dream magic, but I can at least make the connection,” Celestia explained.
“She’s not doing well, Princess,” the nurse began. “Her heart-rate is dangerously high, it’s only a matter of time before the stress gets to her.”
Celestia nodded, and turned back to everyone else. “I cannot ask you to do this, but we’re short of time. I fear your friend may not make it out safely if we do not act soon.”
“W-won’t it be dangerous?” Lemon Hearts asked.
“No, it is still only a dream: you won’t be harmed. And I will put up barriers to prevent the rest of you from getting trapped the way she has. Will you go in and rescue her?”
Twinkleshine was first to step up, faster than Minuette. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Minuette added with a confident expression.
The two looked to Lemon Hearts, who looked back between them. “I-I… I care about her,” she explained. “I’ll… do it.” She nervously stood next to the others. Minuette and Twinkleshine looked at Twilight.
“Well?” Twinkleshine asked with an impatient wave of her hoof.
“We could really use you, Twilight. She would be thrilled to see you.” Minuette held out a hoof. “And I’d be glad to have you.”
Twilight looked between the three of them, and then Moondancer’s unconscious form. Guilt welled in her heart. How could she not? And she hated to admit it, but the three could use her help. Was she willing to face more nightmarish threats to save somepony else?
To save a friend?
Yes, she was. Twilight took Minuette’s hoof. “Awesome!” Minuette said, pulling her to the rest of the group. Twinkleshine nodded in approval and Lemon Hearts looked up from her own hooves.
“For what it’s worth, she’ll be glad.”
“... Thank you, Twilight …”
Celestia nodded to each of them. “Then we shall begin.” She motioned toward the other beds. “Once you are comfortable, I will bridge the connection.” Her horn lit as she prepared. Twilight, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine all laid down on the other clinic beds. Lemon Hearts shook a little, but Minuette reached over and gave her a confident hoof, after which they closed their eyes. Twinkleshine turned to Twilight, and with a respectable nod, closed her eyes. Twilight followed shortly after.
With a warm feeling of magic against her horn, she knew it had begun.
Together they galloped, dodging ponies left and right, rounding corners as they went. Multiple sets of hooves echoed down the hallways of Canterlot Castle, bathed in an orange light from the setting sun. Twilight and her friends shared worried glances as they followed closely behind Princess Celestia and her guard.
They rounded the corner to find a pair of large doors open, one of the guards unconscious in the entryway, Celestia standing in front of it. A cyan glow emanated from the doorway, and just as a beam of energy shot out, Celestia summoned a magical shield in front of herself. Both Twilight and Twinkleshine moved to assist, but Celestia motioned them both to stay back.
“Sunset Shimmer, don’t do this!” Celestia warned. “You don’t know what’s at stake!”
“Only because you never bothered telling me !” A voice said from the room within. “This is it, Celestia! My first step to becoming the ruler you never wanted me to be!” Another beam impacted Celestia’s shield, Twilight heard a loud surge of energy, saw a great flash of light, and then all was suddenly quiet.
Celestia's shield dissipated, and she lowered her head. Tilting to look at the others, she sighed and entered the room. Twilight and company followed behind her. Inside, Twilight saw a mirror, its surface rippling with magic like some kind of whirlpool. After a moment’s time, the mirror calmed, and returned to… well, what looked like glass.
“Sunset Shimmer, my personal student… she has been cruel, and dishonest… she did not get what she desired as quickly as she desired it.” Celestia closed her eyes, and sighed. “I have kept her from it…”
“Where’d she go?” Lemon Hearts’ voice quietly asked.
“That is a long story… for another time,” Celestia replied. “There is little we can do for her now.” Celestia turned to leave. Minuette stepped in front of her.
“We’ll help however you need us too, Princess. Right girls?” Minuette turned to everyone, and got a quiet agreement from Lemon Hearts. She looked expectantly at Twilight, who wasted no time in giving a confident nod.
"Right, ...friends."
And so we begin. Friendship will be tested in the years ahead. Will it be enough to prevent Equestria from tipping into the aetheral abyss?
