Dreams of Forever

The forest was quiet, hardly any noises piercing the calmness surrounding the hunter. A slight rustle of the leaves from the wind passing overhead, distant birds chirping in the branches of the trees, the dirt shuffling under her hooves as she crept through the underbrush, and what she was waiting for: a snapping twig. She set off running in the sound's direction, keeping her ears on high alert in case it was another false-alarm. Weaving between the trees, she caught sight of her target’s long red mane as they attempted to flee towards the extraction point.

Gotcha.

She took off into a run parallel with her prey. Each step was deliberate to avoid getting caught in the roots, the very act of motion predicted before the muscles in her legs even moved. The thief wasn’t as fortunate, often getting their mane caught on stray branches or stumbling on the roots as they ran. The target left sight somewhere behind her, giving a chance to execute the next part of the plan.

Slowing down at a clearing ahead of her prey, she hid behind a tree and lied in wait. Leaves crunching under the thief’s steps gave away their position, slowing their pace to make sure they weren’t walking into a trap. Their pursuer sat absolutely silent, holding her tail against her body lest it give away her location. The dirty thief had been on the run for over two hours with brief bouts of activity where she got close, but never close enough.

Now!

Rolling out of her hiding spot directly to in front of her target, she followed it up by tackling the surprised thief into the leaves and dried mud. They struggled against the pony on-top of them but ultimately gave up, already exhausted from the chase.

It’s all mine. She donned a smug grin.

“Ugh, can you please let me win one time?” Fae whined as she hoofed over the quarter-eaten chocolate bar to her bestie.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Somnia said right before sinking her teeth into the chocolaty goodness. Its sweet flavor rolled down her tongue, sweetened evermore by another victory.

“I’m too tired to keep running around like this. Can we please take a break?” The red-maned filly picked twigs from her mane, earning a giggle from Somnia.

Helping Fae from the ground, Somnia hoofed her the remaining half of the chocolate bar. “Sure, it’s getting a bit late. We should probably get back home before sunset. I do NOT want to wash the dishes for a whole moon.”

Fae happily consumed the rest of the chocolate bar as the two made their way back to the clearing where their chaperone waited, Somnia picking out stray leaves and twigs that got caught in Fae’s mane as they walked. The sun gradually fell in the sky. However, it would still be another hour before the sun and moon traded places to end the day and bring about the night.

Somnia loved spending time with Fae, even though they got in trouble most of the time for coming home late. It had been too long since they last hung out, but her friend would find time to talk to her where she could between the formal events and lessons. The two of them had been born around the same time, Somnia being older than Fae by a few days, which was an amusing thought to the young filly, given that Fae was technically her aunt. They were the best of friends from when they were little foals and would be until Fae passed away from the sands of time.

Without warning, a chill ran down Somnia’s spine. She stopped in her tracks and closed her eyes to block out the world around her while she focused. Fae turned to her. “What is it this time? Another unexpected rainfall?” She said with sarcasm, her chipper attitude faltering at the scrunched face of her friend.

Grar? What is it? What am I seeing? Somnia asked to her mind, earning only silence from her faithful companion. In her mind’s eye, she witnessed a dark storm consuming Excalicorn, creatures of shadow descending upon the city. Bright beams of energy lanced from the defenders futilely to stop the coming end. It was the dream all over again, in all its horror. And all its implications.

She opened her eyes and turned to the skies above. Dark clouds had already begun forming in the sky close to the city center. Fae stared at the clouds, fearful of what it could mean. “S-Som? What’s happening?”

T-They can be wrong, right? Somnia tried to reach her other best friend, but received nothing in return. Where are you?! Talk to me! A large gust of wind came from behind them, Fae turning around briefly before bolting ahead. “RUUUUUN!”

Following her without another word, Somnia took a brief look backward and saw it. The monster from her dreams with the shape of the archmage glided rapidly across the ground toward them with a wicked grin on its face. The shadows the beast trailed behind took on the shapes of indescribable monsters, seeking only to destroy all life. Trees and bushes wilted and died as it flew along, spreading death by its mere presence. It seemed distracted, for lack of a better word. Its movements stuttered, and the horror swatted at the air as though it were under attack by an invisible foe.

Somnia knew this was it. She had dreamt of this day, but hoped she could prevent it. There was no more hope, no more harmony. It would die today, along with everything else in the universe. Maybe, just maybe, Fae could stop it with Excalion. Maybe she wasn’t necessary. Grar and Excalion could be wrong...

They couldn’t outrun it forever. It simply was gaining ground too fast. Somnia knew what had to be done. Steeling her nerves, she halted her running and shouted to her friend. “Teleport back to Swirl and get out of here! We can’t outrun it!”

“What?! No! I won’t leave you!” Fae halted, turning to Somnia with tears in her eyes.

“Other ponies need hope! You need to find a way to stop them!” Somnia stared at her best friend, her eyes growing wetter by the moment. “GO!” Biting her tongue against the fear, she gave her friend one last reassurance as she looked deep into her eyes. “E-Even if the universe revolts against forever...”

“W-We’ll always be together. I-I’m sorry, Som. I-I’ll come back for you!” With the ignition of her horn, the flash of light forced Somnia’s eyes closed, and when she opened them, Fae was gone. Tears fell from Somnia’s face and, with renewed anger, she turned and charged the monster. If this was going to be her last act on Equus, she was going to go out fighting.

I’m sorry, little one, but there is no other choice.

Or she would have if the entire world didn’t change into a darkened forest she didn’t recognize, no shadow monster in sight. The time was much later than when she last checked, with the moon in the sky suggesting it was approaching midnight.

Bewildered at the change of scenery, she yelled out loud in panic. “Fae? Grar? Swirl?! Did one of you teleport me?!”

When no response came, she yelled it a little louder. Still no response. Something felt wrong. The trees had unfamiliar leaves on them, and it wasn’t autumn. Where am I?

Looks like the Crystal Expanse, although it appears to have evolved somewhat since our last visit. Her friend Grar finally answered. Critters skittered around in the trees, eyeing over the young filly in curiosity. Somnia’s heart sank as she realized the truth. She fell onto her haunches in disbelief. No...

When am I?

The filly wandered the forests of this strange location, taking notice of the vague similarities to the Crystal Expanse that Grar pointed out. The trees and bushes had minor differences to when she visited her other aunt. All the critters that roamed the forest were close to what she remembered, with slight differences in their coats or body shape. The leaves were also somewhat different in design. It unsettled her to find herself so far removed from what she was used to. The sound of wind lightly passing overhead provided a calming atmosphere, a serene calmness settling over the forest as night progressed, a stark contrast to what she expected to find waiting for her in the nightmare-made-reality’s aftermath.

Her stomach growled in desire for sustenance. Under normal circumstances, trying to eat wild berries was a bad idea, but she didn’t have the luxury of a home-cooked meal. The most common berries were red, which may have meant something to somepony who knew how to survive in the wilderness. She considered eating the grass, but that was going to be a last resort, if only for her dignity’s sake.

Taking a berry off the bush, she was about to put it into her mouth when Grar called out: Stop. Reveal your hide, crush the berry into it, and wait.

Not daring to second guess Grar, she did as he commanded, pushing aside some of the fur on her foreleg before crushing the berry into the exposed area. Several minutes passed as she held the berry, her stomach growling again at not being satiated by anything more than a chocolate bar.

Grab another. Gently bite into it. Do not swallow, let the juice settle on your tongue. She did what he said without hesitation. A slight tingling sensation ran along her tongue as the juices made contact. This doesn’t taste so bad.

Spit it out. Probably poisonous. Let’s look for a different berry. Grar commanded, much to Somnia’s disappointment, however, she knew better than to question Grar after all these years. Next to Fae, he was her next best friend, having been with her since long before she could talk. In fact, he was the one who taught her to speak, disappointing both her mom and dad when the first words they heard were full sentences asking for food.

Over the next hour, she searched for a sufficient location to sleep, preferably not exposed on all sides by the night air. After some time, she stumbled upon a bush with blue berries which, gratefully, were blueberries, and a small alcove made by tree roots where she could rest undisturbed. Taking a few minutes to gather leaves for a makeshift blanket, she settled in for the night, dreading the dreams that would meet her.

Unbeknownst to her, a single crow watched from the safety of the trees, staring curiously with its one large, unnatural eye.

Sister! You’re back!

Lulu! I have wonderful news! Twilight completed Star Swirl’s spell! Isn’t it wonderful? There’s a fourth alicorn in Equestria!

That’s not important right now!

... It isn’t? But–

The pentus came by to tell us about a development the requires our urgent attention! They have returned!

They? As in them-them?

Yes! After so long, it’s finally happened! We must find them before anypony else finds out!

To think, I was excited about there being a fourth of our kind...

Do I have your permission to mobilize the E.U.P. and Royal Guard for the search effort?

I grant you permission to carry out the search. The Solar Guard is at your command. Find her, at any cost.

Sitting up from the makeshift bed, Somnia stretched out a bit. Sleeping on the ground wasn’t exactly comfortable, especially after being used to cloud beds for her entire life. As she woke herself up, she thought back to one particular dream she had. It seemed recent, and they weren’t speaking any language she understood if it wasn’t for the ability to understand meaning within her dreams from the participants themselves. Four alicorns in... What did they call this land? Equestra? No, Equestria, that was it. Wait... Four alicorns?! Her eyes widened in realization. It can’t be...

Som, I know all of this is a lot to take in right now, but we need to focus on your survival. There will be time to grieve later. For now, let’s look for some more food. You mustn’t let your emotions cloud your priorities.

Grar was right, and she knew it. With a foreleg wiping away the forming tears, Somnia got up and proceeded off into the woods in search of food. She wanted nothing more than to vent her frustration, anger, and sadness against the monster that took away her old life, but it wouldn’t do her any good to sit in her emotions or to go hungry. It didn’t take long to find more blueberries to eat, although they weren’t as ripe as they could have been. It was going to be a tough couple of days getting used to roughing it in the woods. At least it would give her time to come to terms with losing almost everypony and everything she once knew.

I really need to find somepony who can help me... She mused while eating another berry, tasting the sourness of it not being quiet ripe. If everything and everypony she knew were gone, that meant nopony would come looking for her. Except those two alicorns, but should she trust them? Were they even talking about her? Either way, she needs to learn to survive on her own. The reminder from Grar helped a little to keep her mind on track, despite how much she wanted to beat against a tree until she passed out.

Blame me if you wish. It is my fault for you being in this mess. But know I will always look out for you and your well-being, even if you hate me for what I did.

I do blame you, just not enough to hate you.

I know. Shall we try to find somepony to give us an idea of when we are?

Yeah, worth a shot. Somnia replied before grabbing the last few berries from the bush.