A Roegadyn in Equestria

A Roegadyn in Equestria.

Chapter 78: The Thoughts Of A Roegadyn.

*Point of view: Third Person*
*Location: Within the Dreamscape house*
*Time: Nine at night. Four days later*

Sitting at the very bottom steps to the right stairway was Brex. As for Rory, she was standing a few feet away and lightly leaning her back against the railing. As they were doing this. The pair would have their eyes glued to the large number of floating screens that lined the entire wall that the exit was connected to. Rory gave a small chuckle before leaning back her head far enough so that she could peek over the railing. This caused her to have an upside-down face and hair dangling as she said the following with a raised eyebrow towards Brex.

“Master. This could have all been avoided if you just spoke to Luna once. It was bad enough when it was the two princesses, but now you're Ok with letting a full tour group into your head? Even I can't say for certain if this is a good idea or a really, really bad one.” Rory then straightened herself up and approached the screens. With a wave of her hand, several of them grew in size and positioned so that a majority of the rest were now being hidden as she continued. “Anyway, have you decided on what you would want to have as a backdrop for their visit? Another go at Limsa Lominsa sounds rather boring if you ask me.”

Over with the Roegadyn. He was in the middle of slouching forward and resting his elbows onto his knees. While wearing a set of blue jeans, shoes, a gray tank top and of course he was also unmasked. He would just blankly stare at the many screens as Rory currently had her back turned towards him and held on to a somewhat listless expression that was devoid of any enthusiasm, before seemingly snapping out of it to reply in a surprise tone to Rory's words. “Uh-Ah yes... it does sound boring.”

This caused the girl to turn on the spot and purse her lips together as she replied in a cautious tone. “Master, I really don't like how you've been in the past week. Doing the low-level quests in town. Taking the girls out three times a week for classes. Then there's your time with Spike now. If that's not enough, then we also have you zipping back and forth from here to wherever you're needed. Not even going straight to sleep at night has been helping with your condition. And must I remind you of how your probationary herd members have not been able to spend any real quality time with the way you’re always avoiding them and going off to who knows what.”

Rory released an exhausted sigh as she brought one of her hands up to pinch the bridge of her nose as she continued while showing her displeasure. “Please Master, the level of exhaustion that you're feeling in the morning is only growing and it's affecting your daily activities. Even those strange blackouts in our communication are becoming more and more frequent. Some have even been extending for more than a few seconds, to nearly a minute. But no matter how hard I look into what could be the cause, there's just nothing to indicate that there's a problem.”

The girl only had this growing frustration as she was now beginning to grind her teeth as she went on. “There are no cracks in the Dreamhouse that would suggest you needing to prioritize sleep. There are also no changes to your stats for your character window when I take a look at it. Another odd behavior that I'm witnessing from you Master, is the lack of taking off your mask when in the privacy of our own bedroom. It has progressed to where I have to be the one to mention it before you even consider removing it from your face. And even then, I can always see the hesitation. Small as it may be, it's still there.”

She was now squirming as she was tightly closing her eyes and bawling her hands into fists, that were now pointing straight down. As this was going on, a cartoonish amount of steam began to emanate from her body right as she spoke up again loudly and stomped her foot. “And it's only been two nights without us having ANY SEX!!! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Master, but I can't keep going like this for much longer! Those two are even believing that they're not doing enough and that you're somehow displeased with them.”

Rory took a moment to calm down a little bit as she went on. “Rin's been attacking the chores like crazy to clean up the house even quicker every day and Lin is now sticking to you even more than usual to ease up on some of the paperwork you do. I told them many times that they haven't done anything wrong, but it's not helping to ease their worries when it comes to Master. It pains me to say this. We might need their help. Obviously, this is not an outside source but rather an internal one that is the cause of your odd symptoms.”

Brex chose that moment to hang his head down, which allowed a couple of his long strands of hair to cover up most of his face and to only allow his right eye to be seen as it gazed towards the floor with what was easily considered a lifeless expression as he responded in an equally so tone. “Originally, I wanted to throw whoever came inside into an amusing scene and watch what they would end up doing. Or maybe it would have been something to teach them a valuable lesson. But now… I can't even bring myself to do that much.”

That was when the entire house began to shutter for barely a second and Brex found himself holding on to the right side of his head and towards the back of his skull as a small hiss escaped his lips. Upon witnessing the event. Rory rushed over so that she could get on to one knee and held on to his head gently so that she could look into his face after bringing it up. With what was now some fear showing in her eyes, Rory spoke as she carefully examined his expressions.

“Again? I'm sorry Master! Even this has been happening to you and I still don't know what could be the cause.” What Rory was referring to, was the way Brex would suffer from these migraines that would hit and leave as suddenly as they came. Sometimes, it would come as a throbbing pain. While others were more of a nail being struck so that it would drive its way deep into the very core of his head. It would be during these instances where Brex would find himself holding in his displeasure as to not draw any attention to himself while any of the others were around.

There was even one instance where he would be alone and lowered his guard. The result was him being unprepared and nearly losing his balance as the world from his point of view was distorted in such a way, that it would give anyone a nauseating level of vertigo for a couple of seconds. Brex took Rory's hands away from his face and held on to them as he changed his outward look to that of reassurance when he replied back to the concerned girl.

“It's… It’s okay, it's past. But if we're to let Luna do her thing, then it would mean lowering some of my defenses, right? If she plans on doing what I think she will, then it will need to be done for her to gain access to the deeper parts of my subconscious. It's the only logical step on her end if she has any hopes of finding me in the dream that I'm apparently absent from. The real question is, how much do I let her get into? It’s not as if I can fully trust any of them to know absolutely everything about who and what I am.”

Rory stood back up and began to tap on her chin as she had a thoughtful expression before saying the next part and turning her body towards the screen. “Hmm, it would be a small task to block any of the non-essential memories. If we allow Luna to be able to manipulate the dream and throw in some randomized functions, then that might just do the trick. It won't be as effective as tracking down the cause of all the problems, but it just might point us in the right direction.” Rory paused for a moment before she looked back towards Brex and said the next bit while wincing apologetically.

“There is uh... just one catch that I really should mention for this to work.” Brex gave her a flat look as his right eyebrows slowly raised to show his growing worry before she continued with a nervous chuckle. “You would um, need to be in your deep sleep so that you're unaware as to anything happening.” He then pointed his gaze to the girl before she hurriedly added. “Hold on, I know what you're going to say! It's not a good idea for them to be freely roaming around, so I could go into the dream as well and pretend that I'm something that your mind created.”

After a few seconds and clearly feeling the uneasiness from Brex. She then hastily said, “I will be extra careful. Anything I say and do will only be what you should know and nothing of my personal private experiences will be mentioned. That way there will be no reason for them to not believe that I am just a dream fabricated Rory Mercury. This will be to ensure that they're pushed in the right direction and don't go delving into subjects that I know would be too sensitive.”

From there, the both of them began to converse back and forth as Brex knew that there was not much time until Luna came knocking at his mind’s door. “I'm just glad that you got around that whole Pinkie Pie promise about not filling me in on the plan.”

“Yeah. She said I couldn't tell you anything. But there was nothing in there about playing a voice recording of the whole conversation that we had. It really goes to show that some of my Master’s paranoia and careful tendencies have rubbed off on me. The instant they said that they had a secret to talk to me about and your name was brought up. I discreetly reached into my bag of holding and pulled out a voice recorder and taped everything from right under the table.”

“Well anyway, did you all finally decide on who's coming in?”

“Yep. Fluttershy is going to stay out of it. Especially after Luna gave everyone a warning about how it might end up being scary if the dream were to turn in the wrong direction.”

“Ah, well I would have expected that much from the girl. Scary really isnt her thing.”

“Although, I should warn you that Pinkie was all gung-ho to join.”

“Oh no! I hope she doesn't make a mess... but I already suspected that she's already been in my head more than once, so maybe it won't be as bad as I’m thinking. Just try to keep her from leaving it a mess.”

“Rarity is sitting this one out and her reason is as I quote, “It would be inexcusable for a lady such as myself to go digging into a stallion’s drawers without his permission. I can only imagine the social taboo of encroaching into his private thoughts.” End quote.”

“Okay, now that's just odd… And here I thought she would be all for trying to find some juicy little secrets, especially with seeing as she's the town gossip.”

“Oh come now master, Rarity isn't as bad as all that. Sure, she can be a bit stuck up, bit that’s her charm.”

“Ok ok. I guess so, you're the one that's been around her the most. Well, what of the others? Who else is going spelunking?

“Well, there's Rainbow and Gilda. That's obviously a given. They are in a relationship of sorts with you, so there's no doubt they would jump at the opportunity after displaying your weird behavior. Applejack was saying that she needs to repay you for helping out with her chores, so she's also in on it. Then we have Twilight as the last member. As everyone is going to be sleeping in one room to do this, it will be up to Spike, along with Rarity and Fluttershy to keep an eye on things.

“Hmm, now that's a good idea. I remember the episode where they all end up asleep when the Tantabus becomes an issue for Luna. It was so stupid… That was a real good time for someone like Chrysalis to launch a surprise attack as they were all defenseless. Seriously, I always wondered why they didn't post an actual guard. There was a Princess and a row of the seemingly most important ponies for Equestria’s defense just ripe for the picking, and they didn’t even think of how vulnerable they were?”

Brex took in a deep breath to calm himself before he continued. “Okay, let me get this straight. We got Luna the Dream Magic user. Twilight the egg-head, who will scrutinize everything as to gain any information on me. Pinkie, with her randomness will be able to circumnavigate the dream realm rules with ease if I'm not mistaken. Applejack, the living lie detector and the most incredibly stubborn pony I’ve come to know. And last, but not least we have two girls who are in an odd relationship with me.”

“Yep, that sounds about right.”

Brex then gave a sharp flat stare that was going straight ahead and at the far wall as he said the next bit with pure sarcasm being laced into his tone. “Yeah… I can't see anything wrong coming out of that! At the very least you could reign them in at the right time. Good job by the way on convincing all of them that you'll be wide awake to make sure that I was not woken up in the middle of the night.”

“Hahaha, it would only be natural. All I really needed to say was that I had the utmost confidence that they could get to the bottom of the problem. Which of course was not a lie so it did not tip off Applejack. Otherwise, it would make it a little more difficult to explain as to why I'm already in your dreams and not in my own if Luna was to try and find me in the same way she does with the rest.”

He just shrugged his shoulders and along with Rory, the two of them went up to his bedroom. Brex climbed inside the sheets and rested his head onto the pillow as his back was pressing against the soft fabric of the bed sheets. Rory was standing right at the edge of the large bed and on his left and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss before standing straight up again. The act than caused her hair to partially block her face as a result and she used her right hand to pull one side so that it was behind her ear as she spoke and a juvenile tone.

“Are there any requests you would like to make before we proceed? Brex chuckled a little bit as his eyes slowly began to close and responded in kind. “Heh, there’s just two. Make sure they wipe off their feet before running around all over and the second is to make sure they don't see my browser history.” Rory laughed loudly to that as she was covering her mouth and gave him a quick wink before she said the next part as his consciousness drifted deeper. “If we're lucky, we might be able to discover as to why it is you know so much about your world, yet so little about yourself.”

Once Brex was in a deep, deep sleep. Rory immediately went back downstairs and made the appropriate adjustments to the dream and mental defenses to allow Luna a substantial amount of control when compared to how it would normally be. Yet Rory's still retained what could have been seen as administrator privileges so that she can override Luna's control and then kick them all out if the need should arise. Certain memories were placed under heavy lock and key, which she herself deemed irrelevant to the investigation.

With that being done. All that was left to access was the memories left alone and her Masters subconscious mind. The whole process took several minutes and completed right on time, as Rory detected the entry of Luna's distinctive magic signature. Rory was even able to feel the additional presence of the rest of the girls that had already been determined to join the princess in tow. Luna herself was easily pushing her way through the membrane that separated her Master's mind from that of what they believed was the Dream Realm to which the lunar princess governed.

Twilight on the other hand had some minor resistance that was no worse than having a fifteen mile per hour wind blowing straight into one's face. Applejack had almost no problems at all. The same went with Rainbow and Gilda. Although, Rory did feel something else happening to her Master's Dreamscape at the very moment that Pinkie was thrown in at the back of the line. Everything gave a strong yet brief shutter in the same way that one would witness somebody reacting to a scare. This caused her to smirk as she playfully rolled her eyes at the antics and brought up a single window as to be a spectator until her moment arrived to make an appearance.

Over with the now arriving guests. Each one ended up falling from the sky with the exception of those with wings that immediately caught themselves after going into a free fall for a couple of seconds. This left Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie to be the one that were screaming at the top of their lungs as they were already halfway down and heading straight for the ocean at the very outskirts of the city. With a quick flash of her horn, the lunar princess caught all three in her magic and levitated them until everyone arrived on one of the upper levels that would look down on the Plaza.

As this was all going on for a couple of seconds. Everyone except for Luna was gawking at the site of the maritime city of Limsa Lominsa in all its Glory. The white painted buildings along the shoreline and many connecting bridges filled their vision. As the non-flyers were placed carefully on one of the circular wooden platforms that extended from an archway leading into what could have been a tavern of sorts. Rainbow and Gilda took a couple of laps around the very same structure before coming in for a landing themselves.

It was the prismatic Pegasus that first spoke up as everyone was slack-jawed and busying themselves with looking at everything they could from the higher vantage point. “WHOA! This is the next best thing to being up in Cloudsdale!” Gilda could not help but to add in her own opinion after crossing her arms and giving a small smirk as her eyes drifted from the water below and all the way up the spires. “It's definitely better than back where I in my aunt's used to live, that's for sure. The sea air and all this open space makes flying around great.

Applejack wandered closer to the archway as she was weary of the edge that clearly was built without some type of guardrail. As she got closer to the structure itself, her worried expression from a moment ago turn to that of appreciation as she carefully stomped her hoofs as she spoke. “I got no idea if it's because we're in a dream, but this here is pretty well made.” Pinkie was already bouncing around and zooming from place to place to take in the view. She had clearly run into the building and back again from taking another walkway that went around the side before loudly calling out in an excited voice.

“Can you imagine how easy it is to get a good spot here for the fireworks? The foals would absolutely love it.” She went on for a couple of more moments with one random party rant after another and was about to be interrupted by Twilight when the pink mare finally noticed the large crystal floating a short distance away and on a lower level and called out to the rest. “Oooooh! What's that, what's that?! it's all spinny and sparkly!” This caused all of them aside from Applejack, who kept a relatively safe distance from the edge to get closer to see what Pinkie was describing.

Luna then said, “As to its function, both my sister and I have no clue but it serves as a brilliant centerpiece if I would say so myself. Possibly it might have a cultural significance, or an unknown magical artifact.” Twilight was looking at it with a curious brow being raised before snapping her fingers and speaking of what was on her mind. “I've seen it somewhere before... but where exactly did-. Haha! I remember now! They were on some of the portraits hanging in Gambit's.” Everyone now had their attention on the Unicorn as Luna pressed for more answers with a glance.

From that, Twilight explained the time at which she saw the paintings. They were of varying locations, however when it came to the settlements there was just one common object that was most prominent. Which just so happens to be a similar floating gem that would always be put up on some type of pedestal with the same color. Although each one would have a slightly different design. What also stood out was Twilight's assumptions in regards to the way the background characters were painted so they were blending in and hard to pick out if one was not careful enough with their eyes.

When Twilight was finished with taking a few minutes to explain. The farm mare finally spoke up again after gingerly stepping closer to the edge. “Uh… That's all well and fine Twilight. But I think we need to be getting back to findin' just where Gambit is. Luna nodded to that and began to bring her magic to bear once again as she closed her eyes and spoke to the rest. “Previously, my magic over the dreams has not afforded me all that much here. Although, this night is different. It is now possible to use alternative means. Ones of which I am hesitant to do as it would most likely bring down his wrath. Although with the current predicament I could see him being understandable.”

A bolt of magic was soon shot into the air. From there, it whizzed around in a circular pattern as she continued. “With the intention of being as discreet as possible. This ball of magic will lead us to another area for which we can explore now that my magic has its grip once again.” Without so much is another word, the ball of blue shot into the structure and all the girls gave Chase. It zipped around towards the left and down a set of steps. From there it stopped at what appeared to be a set of doors. Gilda wrenched open the doors and the group found a lever and pulled on it.

It did not take more than a couple of seconds for them to realize that they were inside of an elevator and going up as the indicator above the doorway was counting to higher numbers. When it stopped and the doors swung open. The spell shot out and hovered in place where there was a row of counters that were also connected to various short gates. Pinkie rushed up to the front of the group and pointed further ahead at a boat shaped contraption that was being suspended thanks to a balloon on top.

The pink mare then said, “Oh oh, I think we're supposed to take that thing! Come on girls! Last one on the ride is a rott- OOFPH!!!” Her words were cut off prematurely as she attempted to jump over the railing. But instead of clearly landing on the other end. Pinkie was more than intimate with an invisible force as her face was comically squished. Even her body began to slowly move down to create that streak-like sound when rubbing against a glass window. Luna looked a little worried until Pinkie started to shake her head with a woozy expression on her face.

Next up was a female voice that spoke in a clear and friendly manner from what they all thought was the counter. However, even though all eyes were there. Not a single person was visible that could have said the following words in order to start a conversation between it and Princess Luna. “Now now now, jumping the gate without paying is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use the Airship, then present your pass and pay the fee first.”

“Intriguing, very intriguing. This is quite new.” She gave a quick cough before she continued with her regal tone and approach the counter until she was just a couple of steps away. “Ah yes, uh... we apologize. We six are new to this area and we are unaware as to the proper course of actions we should take when utilizing these services. Please explain this pass and fair that is required.”

“But of course. In order to use the Airship, one must be given an travelers pass and pay four-hundred Gil.”

“Hmm. I am not familiar with this... Gil, for which you speak of.”

“Oh my, I'm dreadfully sorry. But I will not be able to allow you to use our Airship without having both of the required items.”

“I have no time for such foolishness. I am in dire need to find sir Gambit and-.”

“HUH? Excuse me, but did you say Gambit?! Are you all his acquaintances?”

“I uh, yes! yes we are.”

“Well, if that is the case, then why did you not say so sooner? Here. I'll wave it all for you right now. All I require is for you to write your names on this document and I will submit it to Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn”

Luna and the rest were now looking at each other from the corners of their eyes as each one silently mouthed the word Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn with great difficulty, before Luna responded. “Would you happen to know where we could find sir Gambit?”

“The ship can only take you to-.” The Voice was then cut off as the next set of words came out as a static noise. Although, it seemed as though she was attempting to say a number of names in the process. When Luna asked for her to repeat herself. All they got was the exact same response and this began to cause a number of the girls to grow rather irritated. Although, on the third attempt. there was one difference as a single word slipped through the static. This being the word “Ishgard.”

After giving each other another glance. The group all answered at the same time by saying Ishgard and the gate open as the voice said, “Have a safe trip and enjoy the flight. If you are having any troubles in finding Gambit. Then might I suggest that you locate and have a word with Ser Aymeric de Borel.” While in the middle of boarding on to the craft that appeared to only have enough space for perhaps a dozen to stand inside of it properly. Applejack glanced over her shoulder at the still empty booth and said in a hushed whisper to the others. “Anyone else get creeped out by all of that?” Luna then said, “Would appear to be a reoccurring theme and Sir Gambits mind. Now hurry along as the night is short.”

There was a ringing of small bells as the ship began to move away from the boarding platform and out a large opening that would lead to the outside. The controls for the ship where the same as that of a regular seafaring vessel as the wheel lightly turn from left to right in response to the ship’s movements. The craft itself took several seconds before it was heading away from the city and approaching the boundary that Luna knew for certain was there.

A number of the girls were looking at the now shrinking city after leaning against the railing, while Luna had this expression that she was attempting to hide from the rest at the notion of finally being able to see more than just that one place after so long. Once the border was hit by the tip of the airship. The entire thing melded into a mirror like wall that quickly gobbled up the entire ship until there was nothing left but an empty clear sky.

Back inside of the dream house and with Rory. The girl was sitting on an elaborate cushioned chair with a small bucket of popcorn on her lap as she stared at the window that displayed every single event that was occurring. After giving a small hum. She then said the following with a raised eyebrow. “I know we didn't put that there. Must be the randomness kicking in now that we don't have full control over everything. Interesting that it would try to take them to Ishgard though. Even tossed in the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights.” Rory then had this thoughtful expression as she tossed a popcorn bucket over her head and it disappeared before any of the contents could spill onto the floor.

She then got up from her chair which also vanished and held out her left hand for the signature axe that she was known to carry to reappear in her grasp. After giving it a few twirls, she said the following while moving towards the door. “Luna should be just fine there, although I can't say the same for the others as that's a much higher danger zone than they're used to when it comes to the monster's strength. I'd say they need to be at least triple what they are now to handle it. Oh well, I suppose it’s time to act as the guide and get them through.”

She had just placed her hand onto the door knob after turning it to the designated green color for the dream when there was a loud set of screams coming from the window that she was just watching from only a few seconds ago. Rory rushed over and took a grip of one side so that it could be forced to turn to where she stood and saw how the ship had just been broken in half as all of the passengers fell into a swirling black void. From a quick glance, she could see as the clouds were swirling and being sucked into the edges of the blackness. Rory then exclaimed loudly as she made a mad dash for the door and swung it open, while also sweating up a storm. “Oh fuck me up the butt! Master, can't you make this easy for me?!”

Back to just a couple of seconds earlier when Rory took her eyes off of the screen. The scene shows the airship gliding over an endless sea of clouds and the sun was at its peak high in the sky. All the girls on the ship were making some light conversations while looking in the direction they were heading when the wind had picked up all of a sudden. The underside of the floating ship was struck hard by an unknown object with such force, that it broke cleanly in two and ruptured the balloon in a single instant.

This sent splinters and chunks of their craft all over the place. The floor had cleanly snapped in half and the steering column became detached and thrown over the edge. The force being produced by the air escaping from the balloon to away the anchor points that were held on by strong cables. The girls themselves were flung in random directions when considering their relative positions along the craft. Of course, this also meant that none of them had any time at all to brace themselves.

The end result was all of them falling to the now dark hole that appeared in the center of a wind funnel. Those with wings attempted to take to the air, but were left at the mercy of the heavy winds and quickly disappeared into the darkness after letting out a series of loud screams which instantly died out at the very instant their forms disappeared. The last two vanish was Luna as she tried all her might to fight against the wind. But ultimately succumbed to the pressure and she was sucked in at the instant her strength faltered.

Both the dead silence and nothing but black in all directions made up the current environment until there was a set of quiet thuds that rang out. After a couple of seconds of low moans of discomfort filled the air. The voice of a woozy Twilight could be heard as she called out to her friends. “Ow, it’s gonna leave a mark… Is everyone okay? Hello is anybody there?” The response she got came from Rainbow and Gilda in the form of a couple of grunts before the Griffin spoke up. “Ouhg… Did anyone catch the license plate of that wagon that ran over my head?” This was immediately followed with an indignant tone from Rainbow. “Hey! Now I know you didn't just call me fat!”

With that Twilight created a ball of purple light that hovered just over her head and illuminated the gray ground that they were on for a dozen feet or so in all directions. A short distance away was the site of Gilda laying face down on the ground, while Rainbow was on her back and laying across the Griffin's body. Once they all got back up and onto their legs. Twilight attempted to call out for the others for a few moments. Unfortunately, she got nothing in response as the light could not even illuminate any walls within range. Much less the ceiling as all they could see was the now identified cement floor underneath the three of them.

Rainbow took to the air and said the following right as she was about to zoom off. “I know! Wait here, I'll go find them!” But before she could get away. A light purple magic aura was enveloping the Pegasus’s tail and holding her fast before she could leave the range of Twilight's illumination magic. The Unicorn then said, “Hold on Rainbow! We don't know where we are and it would be dangerous if you can't find us again. It wouldn’t be a good idea and you’ll just get lost on your own. Princess Luna did warn us that we have to be careful.”

After giving out a reluctant grunt of annoyance and crossing her arms before landing. Gilda walked up to the pair and said, “Great, just great. We're not going to find anything if we just stand around and do nothing. Let's just pick a direction and start walking. I doubt this is gonna go on forever. Sooner or later, we’ll bump into something, or maybe the others we’ll find a way to track us down. They do have that other princess with them after all.”

Twilight nodded to that suggestion and began to go straight ahead as the light remained with the Unicorn. After a couple of seconds went by as nothing was said among the group. It was Rainbow who broke the silence as her eyes were looking left to right with a growing worry building behind them. “I really don't like the way it is in here... but it's not like I'm scared!” Twilight did not pay too much mind to what her friend was saying as she was squinting her gaze to try and pick up anything from up ahead. Gilda however, merely rolled her eyes at her girlfriend's reaction to the darkness.

Over with the group of Luna, Applejack and Pinkie. They were in a similar predicament with Luna providing her own light spell that was clearly more than triple the strength of Twilight's. The princess was walking with her head held high and eyes as sharp as a hawk for any new obstacle to suddenly appear. Applejack had a serious expression of her own as she had this air about her that just screamed that she was ready for a fight. Pinkie however, was having the time of her life as she was singing in a way that allowed her voice to echo and to produce a odd duet effect.

After a little bit of time went by and nothing changing. Applejack began a conversation with Luna as they continued down the unmarked path. “Say uh… Princess Luna. I don’t suppose you got any way of knowin' how the others are doin'? I'm worried about them. I ain't no good when it comes to all this magic. But isn't this all a little off? I mean, I just figured that we should have run into him or even the others by now.”

“I can understand your worries but I can assure you that Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Gilda are just fine. So long as we are in the same dream, then I could feel their presence. I sense some apprehension. but other than that, they are doing well. Moreover, if the need should arise, I can pull us all out with one spell and it will not matter as to where each of us are.”

“Phew! That's good to hear! A big load’s off my shoulders. Anyways, where do you reckon we ended up? after seeing everything else, this here feels… off. If you get what I mean.”

“I believe you might mean underwhelming. Nevertheless, I would have to agree. Already a number of spells have been used to change our environment but to have little to no effect. Judging from the evidence, one could only assume that we are in the deeper recesses of Sir Gambit subconscious. Or at the very least, one of the many layers.”

Pinkie jumped into the conversation right as the word layers was mentioned. “Oh oh, are we talking about cakes now? I want a cake! What kind of a cake is it? Right now, I can go for strawberry! Oops, wait! Scratch that. Make it a pineapple upside down cake!”

Luna quirked an eyebrow as she was eyeing the pink pony before she responded. “The type of layer I am referring to is not of confection. Hmm. How shall I put it? Ah yes. Have either of you ever had a dream where you woke up and found yourself in another?”

The pair scratched their heads before Luna continued on after getting no other confirmation. “It is a random occurrence where one's dreams would delve deeper into the dreamer's mind. It is there, a whole new dream could be made for which time moves at a far faster rate of speed. Thoughts that were previously unknown to the user would manifest and create even more than the initial scenario above. This would produce a greater amount, or forgo that and in return, the dream would be far more detailed. On occasion I would use my magic to cause this to happen as to gain more time to work on deeper issues. Although, I had not intended for this to occur.”

“Are you sayin' that Gambit's got nothin' on the ol' brain? I seriously find that hard to believe. Gander at what’s all around.”

Applejack was just about to continue when she and Luna stopped in their tracks after hearing a strange musical instrument from behind themselves. Upon turning around, did they catch Pinkie holding up in her left hand a contraption. There were rods and small objects connected to strings on the end. Parts of it had cloth that was ripped, although there was enough to give the indication that it was originally meant to take on the form of a small umbrella. The fabric itself had patches of baby blue, while some of the edges were clearly dirtied and stained with a couple of dark brown patches.

The dangling parts showed various small objects stuffed with cotton. There was a sun, a crescent moon, a teddy bear and a star. The entire thing looked very worn out and Pinkie poked it again with her free hand to cause the entire contraption to shift slightly as a few more notes echoed from a music box that was built into the base. Luna and Applejack approached as the princess spoke up in a confused tone as she wearily eyed the object. “Do either of you know what this might be?”

Pinkie was the next to speak as she had this innocent tone while giggling at the princess’s lack of knowledge. “Oh don't be silly. Don't tell me you've never seen a baby mobile before? You hang these on top of cribs. The foals can look up at them when they are going to be put to bed.” Luna's eyes became more curious as she walked around Pinkie to take in as much as she could while replying. “Such notions were not even conceived during our time as a foal.” The lunar princess paused when she got to one part and noticed some engravings.

Upon closer inspection Luna could not read the writing as it was in some foreign letters and started to cast a spell onto the object. This was all in hopes of the translation magic to take effect. Soon, all three huddled together to watch as the letters slowly gave off a translucent blue glow and morph to that of their own language. Pinkie and Applejack tilted their heads in confusion, while Luna's eyes went wide with disbelief as her mouth began to hang open from right behind the others. Right there in front of their eyes was four letters that spelled out… Lulu.

Almost as if this was some huge signal. The entire area began to light up. Where there were once no walls. A ceiling soon took on the appearance of a nursery that was easily way too big and caused them all to feel as though they had shrunk to a third of their size. There was also an assortment of furniture lining the room which ranged from a rocking chair, a crib and a set of drawers. Even the item that Pinkie was holding became too big and she ended up dropping it with a loud clatter that echoed far more loudly than it should have any right in doing so. This was followed with a chorus of creeks and whines from the surrounding objects as it all grew old and brittle within a matter of seconds.

The walls which were mostly white, aside from one being green. Soon had all of the paint fade and flake away to show the dry rot that was within the walls. All of the baby furniture collapsed under its own weight and produced a large quantity of dust that obscured all of their vision for several long seconds until the ruckus finally subsided. When they could finally see again. The group of three were astonished to see a dilapidated room which should have belonged to a house that was now in serious need of being demolished for various safety violations.

The windows were completely without glass. The door leading out which was left wide open from the beginning was now broken in half with only the bottom still on the hinges as the top laid in what they assumed to be the hallway. Even a section of the roof was missing to expose nothing but the same black void that they had been walking in for a while now. Obviously feeling unease about being there. Luna shook herself free from her stupor after witnessing the change and ushered the girls to follow her as she exited through the door.

But right as they were about to leave. Luna could see amongst the rubble that there was a piece of paper that was sticking out. From a cursory glance from where she stood. It was white on one side, while the other had a very elaborate set of markings of blue for the outer edges as well as the writing. Her translation spell from earlier was still in effect and a few of the words soon change to something that she could recognize. Although most of the document was illegible thanks to the smudges. She can vaguely make out the wording at the top which said, “Certificate of De-.” This only cause Luna's heart to come to a near stop as the implications hit her hard after taking yet one final glance at the room.

The scene changed to Twilight and the others as they were now coming across a set of double doors that belong to an official building with pillars used as both decoration and support on the outside. Leading up to the entrance was also white marbled stone steps and lion statues on the left and right near the bottom. Gilda tried to go around, but she quickly returned after getting to the edge to inform them that it was just the front and there was nothing else beyond the oddly placed building. She even explained that it was no different than a cardboard cut-out if they were to try and go around.

Rainbow gave a quick shrug and landed onto the first step with her right hoof. This was quickly followed with her lunging back with her ears pinned down to the sides of her head as the others watched and confusion. Twilight then asked in panic, “What happened Rainbow?!” The Pegasus only shook her head before pointing at the steps and muttering that they should check for themselves. While looking more confused than before. The two approached and did the same as Rainbow by standing on the very bottom step.

The following occurred for a few seconds before they also jumped back with similar reactions. What was once complete silence apart from themselves, was now a roaring boom of noises that were comprised of angry shouts and popping that could easily have been associated with the flashes of cameras. What was said was completely unrecognizable to any of them, yet the level of hatred behind them all was overpowering to the point that both Twilight and Gilda were scared for their very lives.

Twilight was clutching at her chest right above her heart, as Gilda's fur was standing on end to the point that she may as well have been electrocuted with how sharply they were reacting. Even the Griffins battle hardened eyes were filled with unbridled fear for several long seconds before snapping back with a cold glare that was pointed towards the structure. Before the others could call out for her to stop. Gilda proceeded to force her way to walk up the steps. There was more than forty in all and each one only added to the sensations she was feeling. This was only made evident with how she nearly staggered with each progressing lift for leg.

Even though she could not understand a single word that was being uttered by the unknown and invisible masses. Something within was very close to snapping from both anger and despair. Gilda was sweating with every forceful grunt escaping her beak after trudging up nearly the entire way. There was a couple of times where she nearly stumbled and had to catch herself with one of her arms before pushing her body to finish. When she had gotten close enough to reach for the doors handles to open them up. The noise and frequency that they were coming from was causing her vision to sporadically shake.

If it was not for the simple fact that Rainbow and Twilight were at the bottom of the steps behind her. Then the flowing tears from her eyes would have been easily seen. The shouts were painful enough, yet there was another type of pain from within her chest that only gave the sensation that she was ready to give up on life as all hope was being snuffed out in the same way a candle would fight to stay lit from a heavy storm. Gilda was just about to pass out when her hand pressed on the door knob just enough to cause a crack to open. As a result. The noises came to a sudden stop and she found herself stumbling and being caught by Twilight and Rainbow on either side.

Her eyes were blurry as she was heaving heavy breaths and looking straight down to the ground to witness several drops of sweat to land at her own feet. When she had recovered her senses after several seconds went by. Gilda found that she had somehow reappeared at the bottom of the steps. As she was about to say that she was fine. Her thoughts were interrupted upon hearing two sets of voices. One was from a female that she clearly did not recognize, as the other instantly clicked as that of the princess of the sun.

At first, they took turns as they spoke. But eventually the pair became perfectly unified so that there was a two-toned voice speaking as though they were one being. “Should never have been born! Should never have been born! SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN!!!” As this was going on, both Twilight and Rainbow were not only confused, but clearly disturbed with what was being said. Twilight clearly responded from fear alone. Whereas rainbow was shaking out of both being scared and anger that such words were echoing within this dream so that her herd-mate would be forcibly subjected to.

Even still, the one who was shaking the most while still being held up was Gilda. But instead, her reaction was from nothing but pure unadulterated rage at the voice. She gritted her beak and pushed away from the other two so that she could turn around and scream the following into the darkness as an intense glare was added. “Shut the buck up and leave him alone!” It was then that the voice came to a stop and silence rained again. Yet Gilda was not finished, as her hands were clenched tightly to where she even drew a couple of drops of her own blood thanks to her talons digging into her palm.

“I will find you and when I do, I'll rip you to pieces and pull out your throat with my beak! No one, and I mean no one will get away with speaking to my fiancé that way! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I'll cut you open! Pull your flesh from your meat! Your guts will be spilled and before your life ends, I will make sure to look into your very eyes as I strangle your own throat with your still bloody intestines!” Gilda was hunched over and giving the impression of a feral animal as her wings were now fully on display. She was still looking straight ahead and heaving heavily as her chest was expanding with each intake of air.

Back with the other two. They were now clutching onto one another and shaking violently as their eyes were glued on the backside of Gilda who had just made all those threats. Twilight’s teeth were loudly chattering as Rainbow carefully whispered the following so that Gilda could not overhear. “That was scary as buck... Uh, is… is it wrong that I'm... I'm turned on?” On Twilight's part, she could not hear Rainbow’s words over her teeth smashing into one another. But before anything else could be done by any of them there. The entire place was filled with cracks that gave off a strong ray of white light as the cement floor fractured.

Once there was enough of these cracks. It all fell away and the three found themselves falling yet again. During those split seconds, all three gave out their own sets of responses which consisted of. “Oh not again!” “This is embarrassing when I got wings!” “Mark my words, I'll find YOUUUUUU!” And with that, everything went white as Gilda's words faded the further, they all went into the light. As the group was done was tumbling straight down and being surrounded by nothing but nothing but an empty white that was a stark contrast to that of the previous environment. It was Rainbow who pointed towards another set of dots that were so falling at a short distance away.

Eventually, Gilda calmed down enough by that point to squint her eyes at who or what it was and called out to the other two as her right hand was pointing as well. “It's the others!” But as soon as those words left the Griffin's mouth. They all found themselves colliding with a hard ground. This solicited a number of pained grunts from each and every one of them. Moreover, was the additional surprise that they all mysteriously landed right next to one another and in various states.

Most were laying on the ground in pain, aside from Luna who stuck the landing in a pose where she was on one knee and Pinkie slowly came to a graceful one for herself. This was due to an umbrella that had been pulled out at one point or another. At the same time, she was also humming a tune and saying the phrase, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” After which, the entire umbrella was retracted and stuffed into her mane in one swift motion before any of the others had even noticed.

As each and every one of the girls were getting back onto their shaky legs after another not so nice landing. It was one after another that spun in place and turned their heads in almost every direction. It did not take long until this turned into them all leaning back their heads as to take in the site of something impressively tall before them. While in the dead center of a large four-way intersection street. The group was surrounded by tall buildings of various designs that went on for as far as the eye could see in nearly every direction.

Among them were nearly countless buildings being comprised of varying designs and shapes. Some of which were primarily of the modern design with a good portion of the outside being constructed of glass and steel. Others were made of bricks and mostly wood. No matter where they looked, it just did not seem as though any of them matched with the building next to it. this was made especially true when one was seemingly from the Victorian age. Whereas another had a Mayan feel to it. another would plainly be modeled after what would be seen in Rome and right beside that was probably made out of fashioned together pieces of scrap metal for a third-world country feel.

Just as previously stated with one being made of glass. The next building over was covered with thick vines as most of what could be seen underneath was nothing but clay. When looking higher at the taller structures. Remanence of other buildings that should have been built upon a cement Foundation was protruding from the side and melding with a building from across the street. There was just no rhyme or reason as it was painfully apparent that these were all taken from not only different places, but also time zones and mismatched to create such an environment of near chaoticness.

What made it eerily disturbing, was how everything was mostly greyed out and a small gust of wind was continuously blowing between the buildings themselves to make some random pieces of trash to roll by the group. Even the writing and obvious pictures that were hanging up on some billboards or display areas could barely be made out. All-in-all, it was just a city that was so dead quiet that everyone can hear the sound of any member of the group making as they took every step upon the black pave road.

Seemingly to be getting bored of all the silence. Pinkie brought her hands up and around her mouth and screamed the following. “Hello! If this is a surprise party! You're doing a great job at hiding!” It was Applejack who spoke up next as she wearily eyed the place. “Uh, Pinkie... I don’t think that’s what’s goin’ on. But is anyone finding it even a little creepy that there was no echo?” Twilight was the next to speak up as her head was on a swivel to take in her surroundings. “Applejack's right. All of these tall buildings and lack of other sounds should have easily made this an echo chamber. Princess Luna, what should we do-.”

Twilight sentence was cut short when a window on the tenth floor of a nearby office building shattered. After clearly catching their attention. The group watched as large pieces of glass was sent clear across the street. From there, it all went into slow motion as the next couple of seconds produced the following scene of events. While facing backwards and wearing the Warriors gear from back when Luna and Celestia dropped in on that frozen wasteland. The figure of Brex was guarding with his weapon against a long spear being utilized by Princess Celestia.

The solar princess hold back with her weapon and did a spin and swung her spear in a wide arc over her head. This struck Brex, who had just guarded against another attack. Thereby sending him straight to the ground below with a large crash as his body was blown away by the heavy strike. This was immediately followed by a volley of nearly a dozen shots of solar energy that traveled straight to where he landed and produce a booming series of loud and bright explosions. As a result, each of them held their ground and brought up their arms in order to block the flying pieces of dust and debris from hitting them in their heads.

Twilight quickly turned to Luna and was about to call out for an explanation when she was interrupted by another voice that sounded to be exactly like her own. “Princess Celestia! Please, do try to at least keep him in one piece!” That was when the dust cleared and showed Brex to be running in the opposite direction and a fireball to be launched from somewhere behind Twilight's group. As a result, the flying ball of fire had struck him squarely in the back and produced a terrifying explosion with similar effects to that of the princess. This caused quite a number of the nearby windows to break as he was sent flying into one of the first floors of yet another building.

When Luna in the rest turn to see who had launched the spell. All were astonished at the site of another Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Element bearers of Harmony. They looked exactly like the real ones, except their expressions came off as dark and sinister to the others. The dream Twilight’s staff was still extended as flames were already building up for another attack as she spoke in a cold yet condescending manner. “Princess, we know how much you can't stand to have him roaming the world. But please, hold off until I've at least finished with my dissection and cataloging of his anatomy. Just think of how much we could learn from his body alone.

It was the other Rainbow that spoke up next as she zoomed forward and literally phased right through the girls as if they were not even there as she headed to where Brex landed. “The rest of you wait here and I'll drag him out! Hello~. Come out come out, wherever you are~. Don't worry, I won't make it hurt… Too long~. Hahahahaha! You already know that I don't like to take things nice and slow.” Clearly coming out of their stupor at witnessing the sight. Twilight and the rest tried to run to where Brex crashed as the Unicorn anxiously called out to Luna. “I don't understand! what’s all this? And who are they?!”

Luna replied right as they got to the broken window just a couple of seconds after the other dream Rainbow dived inside. “I am unsure. His subconscious must have a deep-seated notion of being betrayed. Hence the clear hostile actions by your counterparts.” Gilda responded to that as she started to look inside of the building. However, she could only see nothing as there was no lighting inside. “He's a lot stronger than the rest of us. I can't really see him running.” There was a sudden crashing sound from inside and Applejack made a dive right into Gilda to push her out of the opening at the very moment Brex was thrown out and into the street.

As his body rolled and collided with the pavement. A few sparks were produced as the screeching of metal upon stone rang out. It was not until the third or fourth roll that the large limp body finally came to its last skidding stop after carving a few scratches onto the ground that stretched a couple of meters. While still laying face down and the axe being clutched in his left hand. A hollow grunt came out right as a small explosion of smoke occurred just above his body. It took less than a second before it was dispersed enough to show the dream Rainbow having done the ninja teleportation ability so that she would land and straddled his back. She had already pulled out the pair of blades.

The other Rainbow even started to say the following as she lifted both of her weapons for the final blow, as there was a sadistic glee being expressed by the way she grinned before licking her lips. “Thanks for making it so easy to get close. Betcha’ regret teaching me all your tricks now, huh? You really were a great teacher after all!”

The real Rainbow took flight again and at top speed to try and tackle her copy. Unfortunately, all that occurred was the Pegasus phasing through her evil copy. It was during that time that the one who was on top of Brex had gone into a somersault after kicking the ground. She then used her entire body to plunge both of the blades into the back of his neck. There was even the distinctive sound of metal carving its way into the stone underneath as the blades exited his throat on the other side.

What came about from such an act was the undeniable splatter and garbled breathing of Brex. This only lasted a couple of seconds before the last twitches of life came to a sudden halt. Luna's eyes went wide as she stood there and disbelief as the pool of dark red liquid flowed out and spread over the surface of the road. Twilight could do nothing, but the stand as still as a statue as her breath came to a stop at the very moment that Brex was no longer moving. A second or two past and she was just about to open her mouth, when the other Twilight moved right through her and approach the body at a leisurely pace and spoke with a voice that was cold and calculating, while also showing a hint of gleeful mirth.

“It really didn’t matter how much you fought back or how far you ran. It's just as I said before. In the end, you'll just be a cadaver on my table.” Her voice then turned stone-cold as she continued after getting close enough to give a kick to wear his ribs would be underneath the armor. “You had no idea how many times I've wanted to strap you down in my secret laboratory. I would have spent days on end to poke and prod at that little brain of yours for what good it would have been.” After hearing this, the real twilight became visibly disturbed as she gazed upon her dream counterpart with clear disbelief.

During this, Celestia landed close by and gave the body a noticeable sneer of disgust before plunging her spear into his back right as Rainbow got out of the way. Yet the solar princess said nothing and just stood there while slowly twisting her spear and pouring magic so that the tip would turn red hot and produce a sizzling sound from deep inside of the corpse. As everyone stood there and shock from the constant belittling and increasing abuse. Rainbow was standing a little ways off with a blank expression that was clearly directed at her fake counterpart.

Gilda however, was seething in rage and was about to attack them all on the spot. Even if it was plain to see that it would do nothing. But right as she would have taken off with claws outstretched to go right for the other princess. A set of wing flaps came from above and another Gilda appeared after landing a few paces away from the body. Unlike the others, who showed pure hostility. She had this gleeful expression that was mixed with what could have been seduction with the way her eyes stared down. This was only more compounded by the way her hips were swaying as she took a few steps to get closer to the now still body.

She then leaned down and got onto one knee so that she could talk just above a whisper as her voice became heavy with lust. “Did you really believe that I loved you? What a dweeb. As if I could ever love a freak. I will say thank you for being an easy mark though. Whoever thought some poison would be just what the doctor ordered to make sure that we could finally take you down... not to mention all the bits I got now that I’ve married you.” The real Gilda froze as her entire body began to show some light convulsion at what the other had one just said. The dream version of her then continued after grabbing a hold of one of the helmets horns so that the head could be lifted just a few inches off of the ground.

“Took long enough to lower your guard. Really, do you have any idea how grateful I am that you kept your distance. Spared me from having to look at your real face!” She then slammed the helmet onto the ground and stood back up so that she could approach the dream Rainbow. When the pair finally came together. The Griffin and Pegasus started to furiously make-out for a couple of seconds before pulling away to say the last bit. “Stupid traditions. It's not as though it even matters. Ha! If the entire notion of getting together had been turned down, then odds where you could have lived a little longer.”

It did not take long until the rest of the dream members of Twilight's group caught up and voiced their own opinions. The first of which was Applejack, who was followed by Pinkie and then Rarity. “Yep, too bad. Could have used him at the farm for a bit longer. Should have just pushed for more assistance. Heck, with how fast he was going, my family could have just sat back and drank some apple juice while he tended to the land.”

“Oh wow, I really can't believe he thought I wanted to be friends with him? Hah hah hah! Heh heh heh! Now that's a real joke! I'm really glad he never told me his birthday. At least I didn't have to go through the hassle of planning a party for him. Oh well, even if I had, I doubt that there be anyone who would want to go. At least now I can throw a, Yay everybody! He's dead party!” The real Pinkie now had a drooping face as she was clearly about to cry. Her ears were pinned down to the sides of her head, as her hair completely deflated to the point that it was straight as a board and covering up half of her face.

“Hah! Please~. Have a modicum of self-restraint Pinkie. Also, might I add that credit should go to where credit is due. You could not possibly imagine how much I had to go through with creating the perfect blend of tea and sedatives to bring Rory under my control before we started. But all that effort came with a big payoff now that I have my own exquisite personal mannequin to display all my dresses. And please don't get me started on all the kissing up and befriending. It was just so tiring. If not for my efforts to remove her from his side, then this entire plan would have been all that much more difficult. Ohh my, it had slipped my mind. I am so dreadfully sorry my dear.”

At the end, Rarity was looking over her shoulder and at the last member of the group. This of course left only Fluttershy as she stood just a couple of paces away from everyone else. She had already taken on a shy posture with a pouting face. Through a set of scared puppy eyes and a quivering set of lips. She said the following in the most sorrow filled voice for the first few lines before it turned into a quiet laugh. “He... He forced himself on me... I said no so many times but he just would not stop.... Teehee! Just a couple of words here and there and they all turned their backs on him. Maybe I should try and get into show business as an actress?”

And with that. It was as if the entire dream had come to a pause as all movement ceased on not only the characters. But also, the random pieces of garbage being blown by the wind. The sky turned dark as the light from the sun began to change to a darker shade. The sky itself was giving them the impression that an ink blot was making its way across the sky to change it all into the middle of the night. The girls were confused as to the events until Applejack noticed that something large was coming at them fast from the other end of the street. It was easily sweeping nearly halfway up even the tallest of the buildings. At first, none of them could figure out what was on its way. But after several seconds passed. Pinkie shouted the word, “Tsunami!!!”

As the unknown mass approached. One could easily tell that it was a giant wave made of the purest black as it caused buildings to be either submerged or toppled over by the strength it carried. Even with most of them freaking out. Luna held her composure and went to work with casting a spell to get them all out of there. All the while, it was Rainbow and Gilda who were completely unresponsive to the danger as everyone was teleported just a hair's-breath before the wave made it to them.

It was at that very moment that Rory was frantically opening and closing one window after another in a frantic attempt to locate where they all had gone off to. For her, it had only been around one, or perhaps two minutes since their ship was destroyed and the group fell into that odd swirling vortex while in mid route from one major city to another. During those few minutes. A number of error messages would pop up with a triangular symbol and an explanation point within the very center.

It was not until just then, that everything returned to normal and a screen popped up in the center of everything else to show Princess Luna and the rest to have safely arrived in Ishgard. Albeit they were spread about and laying on the stone lined floor as the gentle fall of fresh white powder was blanketing the castle city in snow. The entire group appeared in the open area just within the city limits as the gate could be seen behind them that would lead to the Airship for travel. Rory was just about to run to the door to get in there when she heard Applejack screaming. “What in tarnation did we watch?! That was all sorts of messed up!”

Luna's voice could be heard as she spoke in an unsteady voice that was easily conveying that she was deep in thought. “That… That is quite enough for one night. Let us leave and speak in the waking world with the others.” Rory let out a quick gasp as she quickly held out her hand towards the screen and said the following in a panic. “Whoa! hold on! Wait wait! What did you see?! Ah come on, what happened?!” And with that, they were all gone again with just another flash of magic from Luna's horn. Rory could not help but the stand there in disbelief for several long seconds before her frozen panicked face morph to apprehension.

From there, a cold sweat ran down her spine as she glanced slowly to her side and up to the second floor. With her voice slightly cracking and mouth turning into a strained smile, she said the following. “Uh... there goes that plan.” She released a nervous chuckle as she continued while wiping off her forehead with her right hand. “Here's to hoping nothing important was found out that my Master wouldn't get mad over. What's the worst thing that could happen...” The girl’s eyes suddenly shot wide open as she held up a hand to her mouth with a look of growing worry in her eyes as she then said. “Ooooh. I just jinxed it, didn't I?”

Over with the girls at Twilight's place. Each one was stirring awake within only moments apart from one another as groans of tiredness rang out in the form of yawning and a few popping sounds to be emitted by the ones with wings. Well, aside from Luna who awoke without a sound. In the center of the main room, was a semicircle comprised of each of the sleepers as they all were on top of sleeping bags and positioned in such a way that their heads were pointing towards the center. Just a little ways off was Rarity and Fluttershy in the middle of some Idol gossip when they realized what was happening with their friends.

As it turned out, both of the mare's were wearing green mud masks and their heads were wrapped up in towels to show that they must have cleaned up only a short while ago. Not only that. A number of snacks were already set out which had hardly been touched as of yet to indicate they were going to be up for a while and only settled down. But before any of them could say a word. Spike came in from the kitchen while holding on to a wide serving dish. He then spoke in a hush tone that could just barely be heard. “Ok, the spinach puffs are done.”

Upon coming across the site of everyone sitting up on the ground. Spike took on a confused expression as he called out to his sister. “Huh? Awake already? It's barely been half an hour.” Instead of answering her brother right away. Twilight cautiously glanced about at the other girls before ending with her gaze on Princess Luna. She then shifted towards her older brother with a quick movement of her eyes so that Luna could get the hint. The princess gave a quick nod and Twilight immediately said the following to her little brother.

“Oh uh. don't worry about it Spike, it didn't work out too well. We'll just have to try again another night. There’s not much else to do so why don’t you go ahead and go to bed. We're just going to talk about some girl stuff for a little bit and then everyone will be heading back home.” Clearly being just as confused as the Dragon. Both Rarity and Fluttershy look to one another before glancing back at the group at the very moment that Princess Luna spoke up. “Ah, yes! Quite so, a young Drake such as yourself should be getting plenty of sleep. If my recollection is true. Then I believe it was written in the tome that Miss Twilight sent.”

The lunar princesses’ eyes took on an expression for just a Split Second that showed she was trying to come up with something else to say when a sudden bolt of inspiration struck for an idea. She then said in an almost juvenile tone that was laced with a decent amount of mischief. “It has been far too long since we have been able to... how do you say? Hmm, yes! Have a girl chat. There is still much that has not been covered from between my absence and today's world.” Twilight having caught on to the ruse, immediately began to nod her head furiously with a not-so-convincing smile that came off a little more then creepy rather than being innocent.

A few of the others that were asleep also nodded as well. All except Gilda, who was now visibly annoyed and sticking out her tongue and using her finger to make the gagging motion. Rainbow however, having not caught on to the ruse, only tilted her head before obnoxiously saying the following bit, which earned her a powerful elbow jab to the ribs by Applejack. Who just happened to be right next to her on the other side. “We're going to talk about girly stuff? Leave me out-. Oof! Hey, watch it!” Another quick jab earned Applejack a cold look that lasted a couple of seconds before it finally caught up to Rainbow as to what everyone was doing and gave a clearly fake smile as a result.

Now visibly shuttering and having a disgusted look on his face. Spike recoiled back and immediately grabbed a handful of the snacks that were made and ran up the steps to the second floor where his bedroom was located. All the while, he quickly said his goodbyes. “Yuck, leave me out! Goodnight Princess Luna, good night everyone else! Just leave the dishes out and I'll take care of them tomorrow.” And with that, the sound of a closing door on the second floor could be heard slamming shut.

Once they were sure that he was not going to be coming back down after waiting in silence for nearly a minute. It was Rarity who spoke up first as she kept her voice to a low volume. “Okay, I think Spiky-wikey has gone to bed. Now what's with all the secrecy that we can't even let him hear, what did you all find?” Aside from the two wearing the green face masks. The others wearily glance to one another before Luna addressed the question after taking a few moments to process it all.

As the lunar princess and the others pulled all of their collected experiences together. Within the dream in which was still running as Brex remained asleep. There was a clouded area that was slowly beginning to build up with wind as a pin-sized black hole appeared. The scene then shows the perspective being pulled inside and into a dark void. After few seconds later, some vague objects could be seen coming closer. At first, they could have been seen as mountains. But then upon closer inspection. One could see windows along the side of a brick building that was obviously constructed around the nineteen sixties of Earth.

Everything was dark and hazy, except for a dim light source that was being emanated from somewhere high above. It gave off a pale bluish white as it barely illuminated the structure. Soon, an odd noise was made that strongly resembled what one would hear when their head was being held underwater. It was then that a swarm of black masses that were barely any larger than a person's fist could be seen consolidating at one spot near the building. Before long, the objects swirled in place and something could be seen floating away as it slipped from their grasp.

This turned out to be a piece of an arm that had been detached from the rest of the body. It was obviously torn away just down past the elbow as some black fabric was still clinging onto it. Most of the fingers were missing aside from that of the index as the very tip had a distinct point for a talon. The limb only floated a couple of feet away before it was instantly caught again by the swarm and carried off around the corner of the building so that it could no longer be seen.

It then shows how the perspective turns downward and begins to go along the length of the building until another source of light could be seen from far down below. When it got closer. It was shown to be a single street lamp that was partly bent and giving off some faint flickers every now and then as it fought to stay operational. The space in which was illuminated by the object was the only thing that can be made out as everywhere elsewhere shrouded in utter darkness. Within the rays of the lamp, a few random particles glittered as it was suspended in a murky substance that comprised everything.

And from right out of the shadows near the edge of the light, came Princess Celestia, as her eyes were wide and full of panic. Her outfit was weighed down as she was apparently swimming towards the center of the light to get away from whatever it was behind her as she was turning her head to check repeatedly. A good portion of her clothing and armor was missing as portions showed that the metal was clearly torn thanks to the jagged pieces. There were even evident markings to show that the rest of her gear was pelted with numerous tiny sharp objects thanks to the indentations.

What made the scene even more horrific, was the way her hair was torn up to make it completely disheveled. On the lower part of her right leg on the outside and just above her ankle, was a huge chunk of flesh that was missing as part of the bone was easily seen. Her right wing was the only thing that was visible coming from her back, as the left one was already gone from a couple of inches beyond were it connected. The existing one already lost a good portion of the feathers as it, and the rest of her body was leaking the red substance known as blood which spread into the water itself.

Her cheeks were puffed up as small bubbles slowly escaped from her nose. However, before she could even make it halfway into the radius of the illuminated area. Her right leg was suddenly wrapped around by a black tendril and she was abruptly pulled straight into the abyss. But during those final seconds. The princess of the sun had released all of the air she was holding as a silent Scream escaped as she was clearly flailing and attempting to grab on to the ground. However, even with her attempts to dig her nails for any type of grip. The force in which was being used to tear her away was enough for her fingernails to painfully rip off and to leave deep gouges into the stone floor.

The only thing to remain once she was gone, was a piece of her horn that had been broken off during the next several seconds as it silently tumbled before coming to a slow stop after rolling into the light. From there, a multitude of round yellow orbs with the center being that of a dark green appeared all around. Some were tiny, while others were bulbous to the point where they were large enough for a truck to drive right through. The silence was then broken as endless voices called out with roaring laughter of a maniacal type. Some were that of cackling, while others were boisterous and loud.

The glow of each one curved to where it was giving the impression of a smile. But soon enough, they all slowly transitioned until they were fully unified as the voice had a two-tone set. One of which belonging to a woman as another was that of a male thanks to the deeper tone. It then said the following in an ominous, yet glee filled voice. “Not much more...” And with that, everything came to an end, as each one of the eyes abruptly closed and the light post gave way as the flickering bulb was smashed by a whipping tendril that instantly appeared from right above and outside of its effective range.