Stars In Moonlight

As the sun set, Dust and Frost left for their homes. “See you two tomorrow!” Stardust waved as she shut the door.

“I’m happy to see you made friends,” Moonlight said warmly, standing behind Stardust.

“You are?” the filly questioned as she turned to look at Moonlight.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Only a month ago you came to my home in the Everfree Forest saying you wish you had friends, and now you do.” Moonlight walked to the bookshelves and picked out a black book.

“Now, how would you like to visit the dream world again?” Moonlight asked as Stardust’s face lit up with a smile.

“Yes, but please don’t be on the floor of my room this time.” Stardust requested as she saw Moonlight flipping through the pages.

“You say that like we need to be asleep to visit the dream world,” Moonlight had a mischievous smirk on her face.

“What do you mean? Don’t we have to be dreaming to get to the dream world?” Stardust questioned

“Well, yes, that is correct. But I found a way to do it without sleeping….I think” Moonlight looked away at the last part

“Wait, you think or you know?” Stardust questioned as she saw Moonlight turn away.

“Well I haven’t really tested it so there might be a chance it won’t work and we will be stuck there until somepony else is able to perform the spell, and since nopony other than us knows much about dream magic, that would be the worst case scenario,” Moonlight let out a worried chuckle.

“Okay, let’s test it once and only one of us goes in while the other keeps watch in case anything goes wrong,” the filly said thoughtfully.

“Ok, let’s do it.” Moonlight said. After performing the spell, they quickly realized that the spell was not complete and it destabilized. They read more of the spell and found that they needed a dream crystal to actually attempt the spell.

“It’s a good thing I have one.” Moonlight retrieved the crystal from behind the bookshelf. “Though it has been inactive for some time” she added.

“What do you mean ‘inactive’?” Stardust asked.

“I haven’t used much dream magic around it,” Moonlight explained. “Since I don’t fully know what it does, I have been researching more into it. But for tonight I think it’s best that we just head to sleep and try another day.” She looked at Stardust who had a sad expression on her face. “Wait, what time is it?” Moonlight asked as she pointed her hoof at the night sky,

“11:30 pm. When did it get so late?” Stardust questioned as she looked at the stars

“Well, that spell did take awhile to pull off.” Moonlight said as she put the crystal back behind the bookshelf. “I’m going to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning. Try to get some rest” Moonlight called warmly as she walked upstairs.

“Night, big sis” Stardust said before catching her tongue

“Aww, thanks” Moonlight's muffled voice was heard and Stardust could tell there was a smile on her face, “Goodnight little sis!” she yelled from upstairs.

“I better get to sleep as well; After all, tomorrow is a field trip,” Stardust told herself as she rushed up stairs and took to bed.

As both ponies laid down to rest, a faint glow emanated from behind the bookshelf. The glow pulsed for a few moments before dissipating, and a shadowy figure emerged from thin air.

An old friend of Moonlight’s had reemerged…