"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

Life has been tough as of late…

Ever since she ascended things have been weird, more so as of late.

Twilight trotted through her castle, giving a yawn she approached her bed, it’s been a loooong week, strange dreams with stranger sensations, and voices…

She remembers one where she was just trotting uncontrollably through a castle corridor…

Twilight was trotting through a castle, but it was as if she had no control over herself.

Where she’s going, she doesn’t know…

Twilight, as if enchanted, walked through the corridors of the castle in an unknown direction. Passing by one of the corners, she bumped into a young stallion with a grey cloak on. With panic in his eyes, he jumped towards her, shouting that she should not go somewhere where it was dangerous and death awaited her. However, Twilight, still unable to control her body, just walked by, continuing her involuntary journey into the unknown.

When she arrived at a doorway she entered and found herself standing in the middle of a room, and below her was some kind of circle… that began to glow red…

Pain hit her and she screamed as it felt like she was being destroyed on an atomic level.

Then she fell over and when she opened her eyes, she was on the ground next to her bed.

“Wh-what?” Twilight asked outloud.

And yesterday… was just as weird…

Twilight was standing atop a podium and writing on a chalkboard.

As she turned she saw a few colts and fillies in chairs.

“Alright! Gol, are you ready to attempt this spell or do you need more time?” Twilight uncontrollably asked.

“Yes princess!” Gol excitedly ran up to the board and began practicing how to simultaneously levitate, spin, and teleport something.

He managed to teleport it two feet.

And the weirdest part was, he was an earth pony… how did he do that?

“Very good! A tad shaky on the distance but I can very well see your progress,” Twilight said.

“Thank you teacher!” Gol bowed.

“You don’t need to bow to me, we’re all equals in the world,” Twilight giggled.

“In the end these dreams are getting weirder and weirder… I may need to talk to Luna when she get’s here,” Twilight said before turning to her bed “Here’s hoping for a good nights rest this time,” Twilight said with some hope as she laid down.

As she was laying there she was struggling to fall asleep.

Just when she was considering going to get some warm milk again she suddenly felt herself being wrapped in a warm embrace.

“Huh?!” Twilight turned her head to see who it was but saw nopony, plus she suddenly felt comfortable in this phantom embrace.

She soon found herself drifting off…

Twilight wandered through another dream…

She trotted alongside shadows… into the Cave of Harmony… and they approached the tree.

“You with him? I won’t work out!” A voice Twilight didn’t recognize spoke out.

“Remember your roots! He’s not our kind!” Another female voice scolded.

“You may as well be betraying the pony race if you wed!”

“He’s too frightening!”

“I can find a better suitor, just stop and think of what the crown needs,”

But among all the voices, Twilight was able to single out two very familiar who pitifully asked her, 'Sister, how could you do this? You know what they did to us, remember?!”

The voices were hurting her head, finally she said “Silence!”

And the voices stopped suddenly.

Without another word she proceeded on to the tree with the other shadows.

“Harmony,” A voice was heard and suddenly the dirt in front of the tree lowered into a staircase and led to a door.

Twilight didn’t know why but she knew she had to go down there, and they did.

Twilight trotted down the stairs and approached the door.

As it opened…

A darkness and a light blasted out and consumed her.

Twilight screamed as the darkness and light seemingly tried to drag her away from the door but she fought them with all her strength, her and the other voices of ponies who were there with her.

She was about to give in, the darkness too strong and the light too persistent… when suddenly the voice came again.

“Harmony,” And the two monsters made of light and darkness were wiped away with a screech.

And standing before a tired Twilight was an alicorn, and she was-

“TWILIGHT!”

“AH!” Twilight shot up in bed, oddly ready to defend herself before she saw Spike.

“Sorry… but I heard you screaming from down the hall, I thought you were in danger,” Spike said.

“I-i’m fine Spike, I just had a strange dream… again,” Twilight panted.

“Again huh? You’ve been having weird dreams for a week now,” Spike said.

“I know, it’s weird, anyways, why were you up?” Twilight asked.

“Uh…. bathroom?” Spike lied.

“Spike…” Twilight said.

“Ok ok, I wanted a midnight snack,” Spike said.

“You know midnight snacks won’t be good for you,” Twilight said.

“I know, I know,” Spike said… before looking awkwardly at Twilight, almost like he wanted to say something.

“What?” Twilight asked.

“N-nothing, w-well, better get back to bed,” Spike said.

“No snacking, I’ll know,” Twilight said.

“I know I know,” Spike said as he left.

Twilight laid back in her bed and wondered… what was with the weird voices… what was that strange dream? What’s with the monsters of light and dark… and why does the word Harmony feel more like… what it’s supposed to mean here?...

Twilight began the following day with her usual book checks, she went about her library, looking at and sorting books, as she was sorting dictionary’s she heard Spike’s voice from the hallway.

“Hey Twilight, Rainbow is here!” Spike said.

“Alright, send her in, please,” Twilight asked.

“On it!” Spike said as he ran off, when he returned RD was following him, while Rainbow trotted in Spike yawned and walked up the stairs.

“Hey egghead! How’s it going?” Rainbow yawned.

“Didn’t get much sleep?” Twilight asked.

“No, I need your help,” Rainbow asked flying about the shelves and looking for something.

“What’s that?” Twilight asked.

“I need help quieting my dreams,” Rainbow said.

“...Quieting your dreams?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, every night lately it's the same dream, and I’m losing sleep,” Rainbow asked.

“You too huh?” Twilight said.

“You’re having bad dreams too?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to bore you,” Twilight said.

“I won’t bore you with the details either,” RD said.

“Why not ask Luna next time she appears?” Twilight asked.

“I try to look for her but she never shows lately,” Rainbow said.

“That’s odd, maybe I’ll ask her about it,” Twilight said before grabbing the book she was looking for and passing it to Rainbow.

“Here, this should help,” Twilight said.

“Thanks Twilight,” Rainbow said before leaving.

“No problem,” Twilight then made her way downstairs and trotted to the front door.

“Spike! I’m going over to Rarity’s! Wanna come?” Twilight asked knowing the answer is-

“Yes! Hold on!” Spike ran downstairs and up to Twilight.

“Did I wake you out of a power nap?” Twilight asked.

“Uhh… yeah! A power nap!” Spike said nervously.

“What are you hiding?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing, I swear,” Spike said, he wasn’t very convincing but they needed to get moving so she let it go.

“Alright, let’s get moving,” Twilight said and they made their way outside and saw the decorations being put up.

That’s right, it’s the summer sun festival! And everypony is here to celebrate.

Twilight trotted down the street and waved to ponies left and right and provided help when they needed it.

“Thank you Twilight!” A stallion called after Twilight had helped him reset a banner.

“No problem!” Twilight called back as she made her way to the Carousel Boutique she then entered the familiar building.

“Rarity!” Twilight called and she saw Rarity sewing a banner together.

“Hmm? Oh! Hello Twilight! How are you?” Rarity said.

“I am fine, Spike’s here too,” Twilight said gesturing to Spike who was hiding something behind his back.

“Rarity, I uh… brought you this,” Spike said handing her a pretty yellow gem.

“Oooh simply marvelous Spike!” Rarity said retrieving the gem “I may be able to use this in a decoration, thank you,” Rarity said.

“Heheh, no prob,” Spike said with a goofy grin.

“Anyways, do you have the fire retardant fabric? We need to avoid burning the banner again this year when Celestia arrives.” Twilight said.

“Perhaps we should talk to Pinkie Pie and limiting her pyrotechnics this time then” Rarity mentioned.

“Good point,” Twilight sighed.

“Well regardless, we’ll be prepared this time,” Rarity said holding up the finished product.

It said ‘To our saviour and protector Celestia!’

“It’s amazing, you really outdid yourself,” Spike complimented.

“Why thank you Spikey dear,” Rarity said.

“Now I gotta check on Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy,” Twilight said.

“Ok, good luck dear!” Rarity said waving them off, as Twilight trotted away she heard a quiet whisper behind her.

“Don’t trust her…”

“Huh? Did you say something Rarity?” Twilight asked.

“No,” Rarity assured her distractedly.

“Hmm,” Twilight said as she continued on.

As they left Spike leaned in.

“Hey, did you notice something off about Rarity?” Spike asked.

“What?” Twilight asked.

“She had a few mane hairs loose, and crows feet,” Spike said.

‘How did you-” Spike raised a brow “Oh yeah… your constantly staring at her,” Twilight admitted “But why is that odd?” Twilight asked.

“She hasn’t been sleeping well,” Spike said.

“Her too?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, I’d know if she was struggling,” Spike said.

“Huh… odd,” Twilight said, wondering about the convenience, but decided to focus on it later.

As they made it to Sweet Apple Acres they saw Applejack and Pinkie tending to the refreshments.

“Hey girls!” Twilight said.

“Huh? HEY!” Pinkie hopped over to Twilight and hugged her.

“Haha, nice to see you too Pinkie…. Can you let go?” Twilight asked.

“Huh? Oh sorry,” Pinkie said.

“She’s been in a very huggable mood lately,” AJ sighed as she set another apple pie on the table.

“Hey Appeljack, how’s the baking?” Twilight asked.

“Ever since you suggested Pinkie helping me out with it, productions have been up, ah think ah’d be doin better if ah can get some sleep however…” Applejack said.

“You're having weird dreams too?... Is something going around?” Twilight said getting concerned.

“Yeah, you too?” AJ asked.

“Yeah…” Twilight said, starting to wonder what this dream was… a part of her felt like she knew though… odd.

“Well, if everythings alright here then I need to find Fluttershy,” Twilight said and she trotted away.

“Alright, see ya later Twi!” Applejack said.

Twilight put Spike on her back and flew through Ponyville and found herself on the edge of the forest, she approached the path to the cottage.

Fluttershy was on her front lawn practicing with her bird choir… while nodding off.

“One a two… a one *yawn* two… one… two…” Fluttershy fell asleep mid-sentence Twilight cleared her throat and Fluttershy jumped.

‘ONE TWO THREE FOUR!” Fluttershy yelped before turning to see Twilight.

“Oh, it’s just you Twilight, how can I help you?” Flutters asked.

“I may need to alert Luna when she arrives, it seems we’re all having dream problems,” Twilight said.

“It was nothing… I just haven’t slept well today,” Fluttershy said tiredly.

“Or the past few days?” Twilight asked.

“I don’t know why that is, but I hope to get the birds practiced by then,” Flutters said.

“That would be nice, can they match the tune of ‘Celestia bless the land?’” Twilight said remembering her favorite song growing up.

“I am trying, but Mr Hawkington has a sore throat,” Shy said.

“You invited a hawk? Aren’t they dangerous?” Spike asked.

“No more dangerous than the fact she lives with a bear,” Twilight remarked.

“True…” Spike said.

“Well, that covers the check-list, let’s get moving Spike,” Twilight said and she let Spike back on her back and she trotted home.

As she trotted, Twilight decided to make conversation with Spike.

“Hey Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah?” Spike asked.

“Why were you so embarrassed back at the castle?” Twilight asked.

“Oh not this again,” Spike sighed.

“Come on tell me,” Twilight said looking for a conversation topic.

“I… had a dream too,” Spike said.

“...Wait you too?” Twilight said, looking surprised.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Spike said with a blush.

“Ok ok, I won’t pry,” Twilight said as she turned to continue walking… and she suddenly saw a pony wearing a hood nearby, collapsed.

“Huh?!” Twilight said proceeding over to the collapsed grey hooded pony “Sir, are you okay?” Twilight asked.

Based on his stance and the beard, he was quite old, he had a white mane and tan fur, he stood with shaky hooves and turned to her.

“Oh no worries young one… I simply fell…” He trailed off as he saw her.

“Um… are you sure you're alright?” Twilight asked.

“I found you…” Twilight heard a voice whisper in her ear again as the stallion looked her over and he seemed to come to a realization.

“Y-you… it’s you…” The elderly stallion said looking shocked.

“Uh… Twi?... This guy is starting to freak me out,” Spike said.

“Sir, maybe we should get you to a hospital,” Twilight said… before the stallion grabbed her arm.

“Huh?” Twilight said.

“Nvoc un talon,” He muttered and suddenly Twilight’s eyes widened and she experienced a vision.

“Why!? Why do this- I lov-... help…” A voice said in distorted and choppy words.

“Harmo- don- you’ll pa-” A strangely familiar male voice said.

“Don’t worry Harmony… Equestria’s in good hooves,” A dark voice said and Twilight’s view was directed to a familiar sight…. Nigh-”

“TWILIGHT!”

“AAAH!” Twilight staggered back.

“You foolish dragon, you interrupted!” The old stallion said to him.

“What were you doing to her?!” Spike was in front of Twilight.

“She needed to remember!” He said as he reached out for her again but Spike slapped his hoof away.

“Go away!” Spike said.

“You don’t remember me either… I can’t afford to be seen yet…” The stallion said before hurriedly leaving.

“And don’t come back!” Spike called before turning to Twilight “You okay Twilight?” Spike asked.

“N-no… I feel sick,” Twilight said “What happened?” Twilight asked.

“He touched you and then you seized up and had this blank look on your face.” Spike said worriedly.

“I… Spike, we should go,” Twilight said.

“Sure,” Spike said and they hurried back to the castle.

Author's Note

I hope you guys like this anticipated project.