"So, this dream again, huh?" I say with a humored tone as I'm knelt over holding my abdomen, taking slow, shallow breaths as I smile in amusement at this familiar scenario, "Been a while for this one. Guess they went for my stomach and screwed it up?" I ask with further amusement as I lightly chuckle to myself, struggling to my feet looking up at... What even is it this time? Looks like some shadowy figure, I guess? Usually I can at least shape it out but this time, I got nothin'. It's just a void with hollowed out eyes that I don't recognize... But they're definitely holding a knife and that's definitely what's causing the pain... Wonder what I did to piss this one off so bad. May as well take a look around before this nightmare ends the same as usual.

Chancing a glance around the room, it's not the usual dark alley or some random street like usual. This is way different... Wait, this is Canterlot High. Why the heck am I having a dream about being stabbed at school? New developments with every passing second, eh? New, but definitely not unwelcome. Now the question is... Who would I think would wanna stab a high school nobody like me in the middle of the main foyer like this... Limestone? Nah, she doesn't give me time of day enough to hate me. Rainbow? No, she's too busy with sports and stuff... "Wait... Nah, it couldn't be her... We haven't talked since elementary. She doesn't care enough to... Does she...?" That thought hadn't even ocurred to me until now. But that was kinda short lived as the newly shaped being brought the knife to my throat and I finally got a chance to look them in the 'eyes', "... Hey--" And in a swift motion, I got a knife in my throat and everything goes black.

"And that's how my sleep went last night, how about you?" I say looking towards my friend, a grey skinned teen about a grade above me who had long since stopped paying attention to his handheld gaming and stared at me like I'd grown three heads, "... You game over'd a minute ago, by the way--"

"Dude, what is up with your dreams? Are you alright?" He asked in confused concern, which is why it's so fun to tell him my dreams and nightmares. His reactions are great, "First off, you seem to have a really weirdly recurring dream of random shadowy figures killing you in super grusome ways that most others would fear for their lives over."
"No point being scared of a nightmare."

"Second off, why our school? Who at our school, aside from Comet and I, even talk to you often enough for you to be on their shitlist?"

"I'm on your shitlist?"

"Wha-- No, of course not, dude! You're my friend, I'd never try to off you!" he says in a minor panic at the very thought that I'd think he would. That's one of the reasons I like Script. He's a dweeb with a heart of gold but the brain of a goldfish... Sometimes. Otherwise, my best friend. Has been for around the last ten years. We may as well have grown up together given our history. "You're with me on this, right Flash?"

And then there's him. Our friend Comet, probably top of his and Script's class and has been for as long as either of us can remember. I've never seen his name any lower than first on the rankings and he's definitely got the brain to back it up. We've asked him before why he goes to our school instead of Crystal Prep, but he's never answered. Actually, he usually seems to avoid it openly and without hesitation will try to change the subject, so I dropped it a while ago. Script, on the other hand, still bugs him about it now and then. But the moment he realizes that he's getting on either of our nerves with his questioning, he stops. So it's never gotten all that out of hand except for maybe a few times. Regardless, he had his nose in a book when he was questioned by our gamer bud and looked over for a moment before looking back down.

"It's more than likely nothing, given that dreams and nightmares are simply the subconscious concentrating any stress or anxiety into a manifestation for one to understand or work through or even the thought of something that one would wish to happen manifesting itself in a similar way. However, I don't believe Cloud has ever felt stress in all his days due to his sociopathy and apathetic behaviors showing no signs of it. Not to mention that, in his own words, "Giving a shit is too much trouble" I believe it was." he quoted me perfectly, as he usually does. I smile and snap my fingerguns at him with a wink and a click of my tongue as I re-pocket my hands in my faded blue jeans.

Script sighs and rubs the back of his head, "Man, the fact neither of you see anything wrong with any'a that is kinda weird to me... But, whatever. If it doesn't bother you, I'll drop it--"

"For now." Comet and I say in unison as Script chuckles nervously. We keep walking and talking like that for a while, Script going on about a new game or something coming out soon that he wants Comet and I to play with him, but between the fact Comet doesn't like videogames and I've got time on my hands, I'm the only one that even says 'maybe'. On the way past an alley, we hear someone shout that makes us all stop as we all peer down it, seeing a girl from our school, can't remember for the life of me what her name is, being cornered by a couple of meatheads. Now, see, I'm not exactly the 'Knight in shining armor' kinda guy, or the 'stick my neck out for others' kinda guy... So I don't. Comet's a nerd with no fighting prowess and Script is a gamer that would probably run at them shouting "Shoryuken!" or something. So, I start to walk away before hearing speedy footsteps rush right past us, followed by a familiar battle cry.

"Back off, clowns!" The guy shouts jumping up and kicking one of the guys in the face, jumping off him and punching the other as they fall over. Landing in front of this green haired girl who I swear I know from somewhere, is a teenager about my age with cerulean frost-tipped hair and emerald green eyes full of heroic determination, wearing a denim vest and a pair of silver dogtags, denim jeans and red sneakers. This hero wannabe is Sonic Boom, another one of my classmates and, I guess, a friend. I guess I kinda enjoy is company but jeez can he be annoying with his hero complex bullshit. Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy... But he wants to be the good guy. Like, literally a hero from comic books or something.

Anyway, the goons he knocked down get back up (rookie mistake) and charge him. He takes this stance that I swear he ripped from an anime with a hand behind his back and the other palm facing him as he darts at them quick. What else would you expect from the captain of the Cross Country and Track team. He dashes up at them, dodges a punch, trips the guy and just swings him around with his own momentum into the other dude. Fucking cool to watch but given he may or may not have thrown the first guy head first into the other dude's junk... Let's just say I wish I was recording. With the two guys holding their heads, in more than one regard, he points down at them and then a thumbs down, "You two had enough? Or do I have to teach you another lesson about personal space?" he says in this super cliche action hero sounding tone.

The guys groan and get up stumbling as they back up and run to the mouth of the alley where they saw the three of us, apparently thinking we were next on their ass-kicking train as they scream like frightened kids and kneel down begging to be let go. The three of us just look at one another and then walk past them up to Sonic. Guess those guys took it as us showing mercy cause they turned tail quick from what I heard, "Hey Sonic, playing hero extraordinaire again?" I say walking up and giving him a greeting in the way of a fist bump.

"What up, bruh? I guess you could say that. I heard the shout from across the street and came running, as you probably saw, right? And I guess the rest needs no telling since, you know... You were there." he chuckles as he turns around, "You okay, Wallflower?" he says concerned as this girl looks kinda shocked and just nods and runs away past us, Sonic turning to watch her run as he waves, "Hey, be more careful on the way to school! Okay?" he calls out as she keeps running without a response. Still have no idea who she is, but at least now I know her name.

"Wait a sec. Sonic, you said you heard her from across the street, right?" Script said confusedly with seemingly growing concern as Sonic nods and chuckles with a little strain.

"Yeah... About that," he says before falling over onto me as he groans, "I, uh... Might've gotten clipped by a moped on the way across." He says as I look down at his legs and, sure enough, his leg looked kinda twisted. I'll be honest, if there's one thing about his weird amount of heroic nature that impresses me, it's that for some reason, this doofus will actually injure himself just to help someone else. I would never do that. Like... Ever. It's stupid. But for some reason, he does it anyway. It's probably because he's an idiot, but hey, most of the heroes he seems to trademark himself after are idiots too, so... Imitate your heroes or whatever.

While we're on our way out of the alleyway, a black motorcycle pulls up in front of us as a dark individual we're all more than familiar with takes his helmet off, revealing a guy with long black hair and crimson eyes, a black leather jacket with a red t-shirt beneath and black jeans-- Fuck it, imagine the word 'edge' personified. It's this guy, Sonic Boom's brother. His name was Jet Stream last I checked. He's the school delinquent and usually second fiddle to his brother, "What are you doing here, you idiot? And what the hell happened to your leg?" He growls in annoyance as Sonic only chuckles, "Well, whatever. You guys can handle getting him to school on time, I have better things to do." He says in a disinterested tone as he puts his helmet back on and drives off and down the road, taking a sharp right. If I remember correctly, I think he was dating Pinkie Pie's older sister, Maud... Can't remember, don't care, moving on.

Anyway, with this idiot's arm over mine and Script's shoulders, and now fully entrusted to us by Jet, we walk our way to school. We gain quite a few looks on the way in, more than likely from the Sonic Boom Fan Club or the SBFC as they're openly known as throughout the school. We drop him off at the nurse's office, she asks us what happened and we promptly leave him to explain how he fucked up his own legs doing something heroic. Again. For probably, like, the twelfth time this month. I say my goodbyes to Script and Comet as they go to their homeroom and I leave to my own, taking a seat promptly at the back of the class and putting in my earbuds as I wait for the bell to ring. Yes, somehow we got to school before the bell. No idea how.

While I'm waiting, I doodle for a bit and sketch, letting my mind wander with my music as I just shut my eyes and let the pencil go. It's less work to draw when you're not paying your hand any mind consciously. Seriously, try it sometime, it's fun. Soon, I get a light tapping on my shoulder, which quickly turns into pats as I groan and open my eyes, popping an earphone out and looking up to see the resident prima donna of the school next to me with... Wait, is that Applejack? "Well, Hell must've frozen over recently. I thought you two stopped talking after the whole 'Sunset Shimmer pulling the strings of your friendship like a marionette' thing."

"Well, we've-- Wait, you knew?"

"Tried telling Rainbow Dash, she blew me off. Tried telling you, you said I didn't know what I was talking about. Tried Pinkie Pie, but... Y'know... Too much energy to unpack there, so I left it. Figured three tries was three too many." I say with a shrug as I put my pencil down and cross my arms leaning back, "So what do I owe the... Interaction?" I say a bit disgruntled. The two stare at me for a second and soon, carry on.

"Well, we were hoping that you'd vote for our new friend, Twilight Sparkle, to be Fall Formal Princess! There's, apparently, quite a lot riding on it. So... Can we count on you?" she says hopefully, getting in my face a bit as I clear my throat.

"First, my personal bubble was three steps back from where you are now. Second, I've never voted for any prom princess ever. Why would I start now just because you two asked?" I say with a bit more irritation as I go to pick up my pencil again before Applejack slams her hand over it, my gaze slowly drifting up towards her, "... For real?"

"Cloud, we're sorry fer' not listenin' to ya', but this is important! We ain't never asked y'fer' nothin' b'fore. D'ya' think you could--"

"Make an exception this one time so you can help your new friend I've never met and/or heard of to overthrow Sunset for reasons I still don't know cause you don't seem to want to explain?" I interrupt with a blank stare as I chuckle, "I can be petty, AJ. But that takes incentive and effort. Two things I highly lack. So, sorry, but I'm gonna have to make it a hard n--"

"If we can score y'tickets to the Countess Caloratura concert comin' in a week 'r two, will that suffice?"

She... She didn't just say that. There's no way she just said what I think she did... Did she? I slowly look back up at Applejack with a shocked expression, "Countess... Coluratura...? Like... For real? You can score me tickets?"

She smirks at me and crosses her arms leaning on my desk, "Front row seats. Bring who y'want or go alone, Ah' can get 'em."

"... Applejack, if anyone else had said those words to me, I'd call bullshit... But..." I groan and scratch the side of my head before peering back up, "... When're the ballots due?"

Stupid Applejack and her stupid Coluratura tickets, making vote for her stupid friend and come to the stupid Fall Formal just to put in my stupid last minute ballot... I don't even wanna be here. But noooo, she just has to be the one that knows I'm Coluratura's biggest friggin' fan. We just had to be at the music store at the exact same time... Whatever. I just have to cast my vote, wait for the results and pick up my reward. Easy. I walk up the steps to the school and to the gymnasium wearing a black polo and black jeans, perfect for staying out of sight and out of mind. Just so long as I don't get spotted by--

"Is that Cloud I see~?" ... God fucking dammit... I turn around holding my ballot in hand before dropping it in behind my back and being met with none other than... Her, That flaming hair, the cerulean eyes that would kill if she could, the devious grin... Dammit has she changed since we were little. I sigh and give a light smile pocketing my hands.

"What's up Sunny? Long time, no talk. Actually, I think this is the most you've talked to me in... What, three years since Middle school? Trying to break a record here?" I say sarcastically as she chuckles. Dammit I ~~missed~~ hate that freaking chuckle.

"Cloudy, it's been forever and you're gonna be like that with your oldest friend? What happened to the shade to my sunlight, huh?" She says sauntering up and reaching a hand up to cup my cheek only for me to grab her wrist and force it away.

"Sorry, It's gotten a bit overcast on my end of the relationship. What do you want, Sunset? That's the only reason you'd wanna play nice." I hiss with annoyance as I let her go, the two dingbats on either side of her getting in a defensive stance to protect their boss as she holds up her hand to call them off, "Dull and Slow? What, was Rent-A-Lackey closed?" I say snidely as they look minorly hurt.

"You're perceptive... On both accounts, really. I need you to vote for me. You and your group of buddies." She says crossing her arms defiantly. I sigh and shake my head with a sharp snicker.

"Oh Sunset, you deceitful snake of a girl. There's no way in hell Sonic, Script or Comet would ever vote for you. They don't like you anymore than I do. And believe me," I glare a bit more and let my voice darken, "I stopped giving a damn years ago."

She gasps and glares as she clenches her fists before taking a breath, that calm smirk of a sly fox in the hen house appearing on her face again, "That's perfectly fine. I'll win without your worthless vote anyway." She says turning away and waving backwards at me, "Have fun, loser." she says as she saunters away laughing. Whatever, she's just full of hot air. Still haven't met this Twilight chick or whatever, but now I'm really hoping she wins.

"And the Princess of the Fall Formal is... Twilight Sparkle!" Vice Principal Luna calls out among the crowd as they all cheer, some lavender girl with purple hair and different colored highlights running up on stage to take the crown before a sudden light comes over the stage. I smirk at my own personal victory and turn to promptly leave before I see Slow and Dull sneaking out the gymnasium door with... A purple and green dog? Well, that's weird. But what happens there is none of my--

"Spike!" Wait, what? I turn and see that 'Twilight' girl rush away towards where I saw Snips and Snails go with the dog, the rest of the girls, including Applejack, running to follow. I groan as I rush after to get my tickets and leave, hoping I won't get involved with the dog too much only to see Sunset with her goons and a fucking sledgehammer threatening to destroy a 'portal'... Did she get involved with drugs recently or does she seriously think our school statue is some weird ass portal? Either way, if I'm gonna get my tickets I gotta get that dog away from her. Maybe I'll even score some backstage passes for this.

I hear them spouting some shit about the crown being magic or something and I promptly walk past them in annoyance, going up towards tweedle dee and dum who look defensively at me as I rear back and deck Snips in the face, the dog dropping and swiftly running to Twilight who hugs him tight. I smirk and turn towards Sunset only to see her shout and swing the sledgehammer at me, causing me to quickly duck as she suddenly gets thrown off kilter by the momentum and the hammer goes long, flying through the air back towards the girls and... Oh fuck... Right into that Twilight girl's head.

Sunset, Snips, Snails, the girls and even the dog and I stare in horror seeing the crown roll across the ground and over towards Sunset, some blood slowly dripping off it as she reaches over and takes it, slowly turning her laugh into a loud cackling as she takes it up into her hands and places it on before she seems to turn into some weird she-demon. I stare up at her for a bit and then look back towards Twilight who looks pretty limp laying there on the ground, her dog nudging her and telling her to get up, which I don't question given what's happening to Sunset as I catch Applejack's eye, tears flowing as she grows a dark glare. I stutter, unable to even come up with words to say as Sunset flies down next to me, "See, Cloudy~?" She says as she forcefully cups my cheek and pulls me onto my feet, "I. Still. Won." She growls as she sighs, "Though this is an even greater victory than I'd thought possible, all thanks to you." She chuckles as she begins to crescendo into a roaring laughter as she turns and holds her hand out towards the statue, a blast escaping her hand as it starts to crackle with this weird multi-colored energy.

The light from the cracks only grows brighter as she burns it away and then, everything slowly goes white and a ringing enters my ears. Before I know it, it all goes black.

Author's Note

Now this is the beginning of something beautiful that I've been trying to depict for a long, LONG while. But I did it. I hope you all enjoy, and I hope you'll stay tuned for more. Cause I'm just getting started.