Chapters CHAPTER 1 - A Forest Witch
One night in Ponyville, there was a filly named Lily. She had heard tales from other fillies and colts about a witch who lived in the Everfree Forest and was curious to see if the tales were true. As Lily entered the Everfree Forest, she looked through the trees and only saw darkness.
“I should probably stay on the path.” she told herself as she continued walking.
The path ended, and in front of her were two paths. “Which way should I go, left or right?” she thought, and while she thought of which way to go, she heard twigs cracking towards the right.
“Left it is” she said, as she started down the left path. As she continued, she saw what appeared to be a light. Hoping somepony lived there, she ran towards it, even though it strayed from the initial path.
“Hello? Anypony home?” Lily inquired as she knocked on the door. Receiving no response, she went to look through the window. She saw a figure reading a book, surrounded by various ingredients. She gasped, spooking the mystery figure.
“Anypony there?” the mystery figure asked, opening the door. After waiting a bit for a response, the figure closed the door.
“Guess it was just an animal,” the figure shrugged.
Lily, now hiding under the window, let out the breath she was holding.
“Hi there.” said the figure, appearing from nowhere.
“Ah! Please don’t hurt me!” Lily said.
“Hurt you? Why would I do that? You haven’t done anything bad, have you?“ the figure asked. The light shimmered off the pony’s night-blue coat, revealing a moonlight mane and tail streaked with deep blue and a yellow crescent-moon cutie mark.
“Where are my manners, my name is Moonlight River,” Moonlight continued, “What’s yours?”
Lily, still too scared to say anything, remained motionless and offered no response.
“Sorry for the scare. I’m sure you’ve heard the tales of the witch of the Everfree forest.” Moonlight inquired. “Probably why I don’t get many visitors. I am thinking of just moving into Ponyville” Moonlight remarked. “Say, do you come from Ponyville?” Moonlight asked.
Lily, still struck with fear, only nodded her head as confirmation.
“Did you come to the Everfree forest to see if the tales were true?” Moonlight asked, to which Lily shook her head once more. “Want to come inside? It’s a bit chilly and I don’t know how long you’ve been out here” Moonlight said.
Lily cautiously followed the figure, who she now knew as Moonlight, into the house.
“Let me guess, you didn’t tell your parents where you went?” Moonlight asked.
“Yeah,” Lily said quietly.
“That’s the first time I have heard you speak. What was stopping you before?” Moonlight asked. When given no response, Moonlight says in a soft voice, “Still a bit fearful, I see”.
“Come, have a seat, and I will tell you what I have been working on,” Moonlight said calmly, scooping a book off the nearby table with her wing and sitting in a chair. Lily sat across from her, still hesitant toward the stranger.
“Tell me, Lily, have you ever heard of dream magic before?” Moonlight asked.
“No, what is it?” Lily asked.
“Dream magic is a form of magic that can be performed by any creature, even those who don’t have natural magic like me and you. It comes from what’s called the dream world. In fact, you use a bit of dream magic when, well, dreaming” Moonlight explained, chuckling to herself.
“It can allow you to travel into dreams, like how Princess Luna does. It can also do other things, like make things float, make barriers, shoot beams. Everything a unicorn can do and much more, like opening a portal to the dream realm,” Moonlight continued. “I haven’t really been there myself, but legends say that it holds knowledge from throughout the ages like a huge library. Princess twilight would love that...but back to the point. It is a form of magic that takes a lot of time and effort to learn and master,” Moonlight finished. Lily leans forward, eager to hear more and intrigued by the story.
“I will tell you more another time. It’s getting late, and I think your parents will be worried about you,” Moonlight said.
“I don’t know who my parents are,” Lily responded.
“What? Then who takes care of you and helps you learn?” Moonlight said, concerned for the young filly.
“Most of the things I know, I’ve taught myself. It's not like I need to learn how to fly or use magic since I am only an earth pony. Other fillies and colts make fun of me because I have no parents'' Lily confessed, starting to tear up.
“I usually just sleep on benches,” Lily said.
“Does nopony help you?” Moonlight asked, exasperated.
“They give me things like food and water, and I go to the School of Friendship. But other than that, no.” Lily said. She sighed, and stood from her seat. “I should go now. Goodbye,” Lily said reluctantly, leaving out the door and began traveling back to Ponyville.
As the filly left, Moonlight sat and thought about how her day had suddenly changed, and the young filly that had changed it. “How can I help her? I can teach her and offer her a place to stay, but I don’t want to make her walk all the way from Ponyville everytime. What if other ponies find out about her talking to me? She would be an outcast". Moonlight paused, stopping her fretting. “I think it’s time I finally move to Ponyville,” Moonlight resolved. As she started to gather her things, she realized what time it was. It was too late to start doing anything at the moment. Deciding to start the moving and packing process tomorrow, she headed up stairs to bed.
CHAPTER 2 - Adjustments and Searching
One month later…
Lily had just finished her day at school and was heading to her new home. “I’m home.” Lily announced.
“Welcome back, but you don’t have to say it like I’m your mom or something.” Moonlight chuckled from her seat in the chair, reading a book with a constellation on the cover.
Lily put down her saddlebag and walked over to where Moonlight was. “What are you reading?” Lily asked.
“Just some history about Ponyville. Did you know the Apple family has lived here for hundreds of moons?” Moonlight explained.
“I didn’t know Professor Applebloom’s family lived here that long!” Lily exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock as she sat down in a nearby chair.
Moonlight looked at the filly over her book, answering with “It’s fascinating. Learn anything today?”
“Just more stuff about cutie marks and friendship,” Lily responded.
“So nothing really different happened?” Moonlight answered, still watching Lily over the top of her book.
“Not really.” the filly responded. “Anything happen to you today?”
“Just some nasty alicorn trying to spread disharmony and divide us again. Probably a revenge plot or something,” Moonlight explained. “I don’t get why some ponies would want disharmony,” she continued, putting away her book, “Want anything while I am out?” She grabbed a sack of bits and put on her saddlebags.
“You say you’re not my mom, but you sure act like one,” Lily chuckled. Noticing Moonlight's unchanging face, she added a quick “If you can find a mane band, I would like that.”
“Ok, I will see if I can find it,” Moonlight’s voice responded as she walked out the door.
After Moonlight was gone, Lily saw some other fillies and colts playing with a ball through the window. “Reminds me of how Professor Berrytwist told us she lost her horn.” Lily said to herself. She wondered what it would be like to be able to fly like Moonlight, or to use magic like Professor Berrytwist.
Just then, Lily glanced over and saw a note on the cabinet, raising her brow as curiosity set in. She grabbed the note and read it aloud. “‘Ask Lily an important question’...well that’s vague” Lily mumbled. “Huh, ‘note: Leave question vague in case Lily finds it’, well that explains it.” she chuckled as she looked through the cabinets for any snacks. “I wonder if we have- there it is, mini pretzels. I’m sure Moonlight wouldn’t mind if I had some,” Lily grinned as she opened the bag..
With Moonlight….
Moonlight walked away from the stands of shops, her saddlebags filled.
“Ok, I’ve got to make sure I have everything. Let’s see: apples, yup; books about the stars, yup; Lily’s mane band…” Moonlight rummaged through the bag, her brow furrowing. “Oh no, I forgot the mane band!” she gasped. She flew back to the stands in a rush. “Mane band, mane band, have to find one..” she mumbled frantically to herself. Her eyes caught sight of her friend Snow and flew towards the white pegasus.
“Snow, do you know where I can find a mane band?” Moonlight asked hurriedly.
“One, hi! Two, ask Nyx. She should have some,” Snow answered cheerily.
“Thanks, catch you later” Moonlight said before she rushed off.
A green pegasus then joined Snow’s side, holding a list. “What happened, Snow?” he questioned with a flip of his blue and yellow mane.
“Moonlight just rushed through asking about a mane band…have you ever seen her wear one, Leaf?” he questioned.
“Nope. Where do we have to go next?” Leaf responded, and the two began to walk in the other direction, resuming their shopping.
“Nyx, where are you, Nyx?” Moonlight thought to herself, in such a rush that she zoomed by the very pony she was looking for.
Nyx waved as Moonlight went by, causing the anxious pegasus to skid to a halt and double back.
“Hey, Nyx.” Moonlight greeted the lavender unicorn. “Do you have a mane band?”
Nyx nodded joyfully, reaching into her saddlebag and pulling out two bands before raising her brow in question.
Moonlight saw her brow raise and tried to think of a response. “I, uh, need it for an experiment I am doing…yeah,” Moonlight said nervously.
Nyx rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced.
“Ok, I need it for my friend,” Moonlight admitted.
Nyx smiled and silently used her magic to float the two bands in front of Moonlight’s face.
Moonlight looked at both of them for a bit, considering the options. “I think she would like the star one more.”
Nyx gave Moonlight the band, putting the other away and walking off with a nod.
“Ok, now I have everything.” Moonlight said as she checked her list one final time. Walking through the stands for any last-minute items, she grabbed some shampoo and set off toward home.
As the sun started to set, Moonlight arrived home to see Lily staring out the window, admiring the sky. “I’m back, Lily, and I found you a mane band. You have Nyx to thank,” Moonlight said as she tiredly plopped down on the couch.
Lily walked over to the couch. “I read a note on the cabinet that said you had an important question for me?” Lily questioned as she struggled to put the mane band on.
“Let me help you with that, and yeah, I do.” Moonlight answered as she helped Lily with the mane band. “I was thinking of asking if you wanted to change your name,” she said, “I know it’s probably a dumb question to ask, since you have a name already, but I thought I would ask.”
“I have one in mind.” Lily responded.
“And what would that name be?” Moonlight asked curiously, waiting to hear what the filly had to say.
Lily turned to meet her quizzical gaze. “If it’s fine with you, I would like the name Stardust Aurora” Lily answered, to which Moonlight nodded in confirmation.
As Lily, now Stardust, woke up for the day, she looked out the window to see somepony being rude to other ponies. “Is that the alicorn Moonlight told me about yesterday?” the filly thought to herself. As she pondered this, she saw two of them get teleported away. “What a weird way to start the day,” she said aloud with a tired yawn, walking down the stairs to see Moonlight cooking breakfast — or at least trying to.
“Aah! How did it even catch fire this time?!” Moonlight yelled at the burning stove. Stardust saw this and zoomed to grab some water and put out the fire, getting drenching Moonlight in the process.
“Oops, sorry, Moonlight,” Stardust apologized.
“It’s fine. At least the house didn’t burn down,” Moonlight reassured. “Besides, what’s a bit of water going to do?” she chuckled as water dripped off her.
“Doesn’t it make your wings heavier?” Stardust questioned.
“Well sure, but only for a short period of time,” Moonlight answered. “Li- Stardust, sorry, still getting used to the name change, want me to take you to school today?”
“I would like that,” Stardust responded.
“Ok, but think of me more like an older sibling. I mean, we do look a bit alike. Now, let’s get you to school.”
“Wait, I haven’t had breakfast!” Stardust mentioned, pointing at the burned food.
“I-I’ll make it up to you,” Moonlight promised, nervously glancing at the charred food. “Now, let’s fly!” Moonlight said confidently before she attempted to fly, crashing to the ground immediately. “Right, water,” Moonlight grunted, “Ok, let’s walk then.”
As they arrived at the School of Friendship, Stardust turned to Moonlight sheepishly. “Can you take the band out?” Stardust asked, pointing a hoof to the band in her mane.
“Why? Didn’t you want it?” Moonlight responded, puzzled.
“Yeah it’s just..,” Stardust paused for a second, “I don’t know what other creatures would think of me.”
“So what, maybe a few of your peers might think of your band as weird. What does it matter? Don't let what they think hold you back,” Moonlight said gently.
“Maybe tomorrow, but not today. Thanks for the motivation, though,” Stardust said as Moonlight helped her to take off the band.
Moonlight watched Stardust enter the school before she started walking towards the town. Her eyes caught sight of Nyx, who was buying some apples.
“Hey Nyx, how are you?” Moonlight asked, trotting up to the unicorn.
Nyx smiled in response, giving a friendly flick of her mane.
“You're good?” Moonlight questioned, still getting used to Nyx’s lack of words.
Nyx nodded and pointed a hoof in the direction the pegasus had come from, towards the school and raising her brow in question.
Moonlight looked back at the school, confused. “The School of Friendship? What about it?”
Nyx shook her head and gestured with her hoof going down about half her size, and pointed back at the school.
“Are you trying to ask me about Stardust?” the pegasus questioned.
The unicorn nodded to confirm.
“She’s just a filly who came to my cabin in the Everfree forest a month ago, when I was still the Everfree witch. I took her in when I moved here,” she explained.
Nyx’s eyes went wide in shock and she stood frozen, silent.
Moonlight waved a hoof in front of Nyx’s face. “Uhhh, Nyx? Are you there?”
Nyx didn’t move.
“Well, when you're out of this shocked state, we’ll catch up. See you, Nyx.” Moonlight said with a slightly confused tone. She walked away to head home, leaving Nyx standing there.
As Moonlight got home, she grabbed a book about constellations and sat down on the couch to read. “Wow, I never knew the stars could make that,” she said out loud, knowing no one would hear her. As she continued reading, she heard a thud at the door. She approached it carefully and opened the door — it was just the daily newspaper.
Moonlight took the newspaper inside and looked it over, the headline reading ‘Crazed alicorn bent on causing disharmony in Equestria and separating the races sent to Tartarus .’
“I don’t know what she was thinking, challenging the unity and harmony of Equestria like that. It was bound to end terribly,” Moonlight mumbled as she continued to read. ‘Ancient artifacts recently discovered near a house in the Everfree forest. ’ Her brow raised in slightly shocked interest at this information. “Huh, I never knew there were ancient artifacts near my old home.”
As the sunlight streaming into the room dulled to a low orange glow, the sun finally setting after a long day, Moonlight wondered where Stardust was. “Where could she have gone? It's way past the time school should have ended,” she mused. “I should probably go see if everything is alright.”
Moonlight left her home and started flying to the school. As she flew, she passed her friend Phosphor, the changeling flying his daily route to make sure the sky was empty of threats.
“Hey Moonlight, where are you heading?” Phosphor asked curiously.
“To the School of Friendship, looking for my friend,” Moonlight answered.
“At this time?” Phosphor responded as he started to piece together what he thought was happening. “What does your friend look like?”
“Her coat is dark blue, her eyes are an ethereal yellow, and her mane is like the Aurora Borealis,” Moonlight described.
“The mystical reindeers?” Phosphor asked, confused.
“The mystical reindeers?” Moonlight repeated, confused before realizing what he meant. “No, the Aurora Borealis. Not Aurora, Bori, and Alice,” she explained.
“Oh!” Phosphor realized. “She’s right over there” he said as he pointed towards the Everfree forest, where Stardust had just walked out of.
Moonlight flew away with an appreciative wave to Phosphor, landing in front of Stardust.
“Stardust, what happened? Why were you in the Everfree forest?” Moonlight asked, worried.
“The newspaper said there was ancient artifacts near your old home so I went to check it out” she responded
“I respect your curiosity, in fact, I encourage it. But please tell somepony next time,” Moonlight said firmly.
“I did, I told Nyx,” the filly responded. Moonlight looked as confused as can be. “Did she not tell you?” Stardust asked.
“Ok, you did tell somepony, it’s my fault for not telling you ahead of time. But next time please tell anypony except Nyx. Nyx is mute, and it’s hard to understand her gestures sometimes,” Moonlight responded. “Now let’s head home, it’s been a long day," Moonlight said as they walked back home, both ready to sleep.
CHAPTER 4 - Dream World Walk
As the two ponies entered their home, Stardust started to go upstairs but paused as she noticed Moonlight walking towards the bookshelf “You coming, Moonlight?”
“Yeah, I’ll be up in a minute. You go ahead,” Moonlight responded as she pulled one of the books off the shelf. Stardust nodded and headed upstairs to her room. “This will be a good surprise for her,” Moonlight said as she flipped through the pages until she reached the desired page and began to silently read it to herself.
As Stardust drifted off to sleep, she was shocked to hear that she could speak in her dream. “What’s going on?” Stardust worried, “Moonlight, Moonlight where are you?” She looked around to only see a blue sky all around her with what looked like white dots speckling the wide blue expanse. .
“I’m right here, Stardust,” Moonlight said as she appeared behind Stardust.
Stardust turned to face Moonlight. “What is this place?” Stardust asked, still a bit worried
“This is the dream realm. Surprise, I guess.”
“You mean like the place Princess Luna uses to stop ponies from having nightmares?” Stardust questioned.
“Yeah, but we are in a different area of the dream realm” Moonlight explained
“There’s more than one area to the dream realm?” Stardust asked
“There’s more than one part of Equestria, isn’t there?” Moonlight answered without missing a beat. Stardust was silent for a moment after Moonlight’s quick response.
“So why are we here? And how?” Stardust asked.
“Well, for why, it’s to give you a little feel for what dream magic can do. As for how, I used a spell in a book,” Moonlight explained.
“So that’s what that bright light was when I first entered,” Stardust realized
“Wait, you could see that? I thought you were asleep?” Moonlight asked, shocked
“Oh, I was. It’s just, I have seen you perform magic before and there's always a bright light, so naturally I assumed.” Stardust said. Realizing that Stardust was kidding about seeing the light, Moonlight was able to calm down. “That’s what confirmed to me that you were the Everfree witch,” Stardust added.
“I thought we agreed to not mention that name,” Moonlight said grumpily, only to be met with a grin. “Ok, you, follow me so I can show you more of the dream realm before we wake up,” she grumbled, and then turned and started walking.
Stardust, not wanting to lose track of Moonlight, swiftly followed behind. “So I never asked, how long have you been learning dream magic?” Stardust piped up
“I read about it in a library when I was 10. I still remember what was in the book. It talked about a dream crystal, and said the only way to get your hands on one is to see what’s called a dream shower,” Moonlight answered.
“What’s that?” Stardust asked
“It’s like a meteor shower, but in the dream realm. I have experienced it once which is how I got my own dream crystal.”
“I have never seen you with it,” Stardust pointed out.
“You wouldn’t. I keep it behind the bookshelf-“ Moonlight paused. “Don’t get any ideas!” Moonlight looked at Stardust who turned away to avoid her stern look.
“I will try and find you your own crystal, don’t worry.” Moonlight reassured the filly. “It's almost time for us to go back,” she continued, “See you in a second, Stardust”
The world around them faded away and they both woke up. Stardust looked around and saw Moonlight on the ground. “Wait, you were on my floor when you performed that spell?” Stardust asked, perplexed.
“It said I needed to be close to you” Moonlight chuckled with a shrug.
“Ok, but next time please warn me that you're going to cast that spell so I’m not scared half to Tartarus” Stardust said.
“Ok, ok, maybe,” Moonlight smirked as she got up and walked off.
“Ok, Wait” Stardust said as the words of Moonlight snuck in, she rushed out of bed and down the stairs to see Moonlight putting the book away.
“What are your plans today?” Moonlight asked. “Well, aside from getting my dream crystal.” Moonlight gave the filly a knowing look.
“Wha- how did yo-“ Stardust stumbles on her words, questioning how Moonlight knew her plan.
“You're not discreet about your intentions,” Moonlight smirked. “Also, I was the same way when I was your age.”
“You're 15,” Stardust retorted.
“And you're 7,” Moonlight said back, they both chuckled about the friendly banter. “Now, you can think of what you want to do after you get back from school. Don’t you have Professor Tempest today?” Moonlight asked.
“Professor Berrytwist, and yes, I do,” Stardust corrected.
“When I talked to her, she said to call her Tempest.” Moonlight responded
“Weird, I’ve always known her by Berrytwist,” Stardust had a confused look on her face as she started heading out the door.
“Want me to take you again? Properly this time,” Moonlight offered
“Sure” Stardust smiled as she hopped onto the pegasus’s back and they flew to the School of Friendship.
CHAPTER 5 - Meeting Some Friends
“Why are you carrying me?” Stardust asked, being held by Moonlight’s hooves.
“I couldn’t fly properly with you on my back, and you don’t want to be late,” Moonlight explained as they neared the school.
“LOOK OUT!” Stardust shouted just as Moonlight spotted a bunch of water balloons coming at them. Luckily, they narrowly avoided being drenched by the balloons.
Moonlight looked to see where the balloons came from and saw two colts with water balloons in their hooves. “HEY!” Moonlight shouted, getting the attention of the two colts as she flew down to them. When she got to the ground, she let go of Stardust and walked towards the colts. In a less harsh tone, she said “Please look where you’re throwing those, it nearly hit me and my little sister. Do you know what happens if a pegasus gets their wings wet while in the air?” The two colts shook their heads no. “They might fall out of the sky and get hurt, or worse,” Moonlight said, her voice taking a serious tone now. “If those had hit me, it would’ve caused me to fall and land on my little sister,” Moonlight said as she pointed at Stardust. “Please be more careful next time,” Moonlight told them as she walked away, picked up Stardust, and resumed their flight.
“Ok how many minutes do we have left before you're late?” Moonlight asked.
“Five.” Stardust said calmly.
“And where do we have to go to find Professor Berrytwist?”
“The track,” Stardust answered as she pointed to the running track.
They got to the track and as Moonlight landed on the ground, she let go of Stardust.
“Running a mile today?” Moonlight asked
“Yeah, how did you know?” Stardust said, puzzled.
“Because it’s on the white board over there,” Moonlight pointed behind Stardust, who put a hoof to her face.
“It won't be that bad, just don’t push yourself too hard,” Moonlight advised. “Now I have to go, I’m meeting up with some friends. Have a good time,” Moonlight waved as she flew away.
As Stardust watched the pegasus leave, she pondered Moonlight’s earlier words to the colts, calling her ‘little sister’. “What did she mean by that?” Stardust thought to herself as other colts and fillies, along with other species, arriving. She pulled herself out of her thoughts as Fizzlepop Berrytwist walked onto the field in front of them.
“When I call your name, say here!” Fizzlepop exclaimed, “Dust Everwind!” Fizzlepop called out, “Dust Everwind?” Fizzlepop called again, as she looked down the line to see Dust on the ground shaking. She walked over to Dust to see if she was ok. “You ok Dust?” Fizzlepop asked as she saw Dust look up with scared eyes, “I know it must be scary for you being the only changeling in the class. Take a look at Frost over there.” Fizzlepop said in a caring voice as she pointed to Frost, a Kirin whose coat was like water and her mane like ice. “She is the only Kirin in this class, maybe you should take some notes from her,” Fizzlepop told Dust before returning to her spot in front of the line of students.
Once she was finished calling the names, she looked up at the class. “Now, every creature get ready to run the mile. You can talk to each other after. Go!” Fizzlepop blew into her whistle.
Once everyone finished the run, they milled around in little groups with one another. Stardust, Frost and Dust were sitting next to each other. “Any creature else feel tired?” Frost asked.
“Yeah, why did it have to be a mile?” Dust sighed in exhaustion.
“I don’t know, but it’s exhausting,” Stardust said as she turned to look at them. “So, your’e Dust Everwind?”
“Yeah, why?” Dust responded, confused by the statement.
“And you’re Frost?” Stardust said to the blue Kirin, ignoring Dust’s confusion.
“Frost Bite is my full name,” Frost said, “and you’re Stardust Aurora?”
The trio lapsed into comfortable silence for a few moments before Dust broke it. “So, want to hang out after school?”
“That was out of the blue,” Frost had a semi-confused look on her face.
“It was, but it would be nice to hang out!” Stardust smiled as she looked at Dust, who was looking away embarrassed after Frost’s comment.
“Yeah, you're right.” Frost remarked. “Let’s meet up after school at uh-” Frost started before realizing she couldn’t think of a place to go. “Sorry, I’m new to Ponyville,” Frost shrugged.
“Same.” Dust added shyly.
“It's fine. I can ask Moonlight if she would be okay with you two coming over,” Stardust offered. “Are you two ok with it?” Stardust asked as the two nodded their heads. “Now that that’s agreed on, what class do you two have?” Stardust asked.
“Learning about cutie marks,” Frost responded.
“Really? I have that class as well!” Dust exclaimed
“Really? Okay, everyone say who you have in three..two..one..” Stardust counted.
“Professor Scootaloo,” they all said in unison.
“Huh, well, this is quite the coincidence,” Stardust chuckled as they all walked to their next class
Later that day…
Moonlight was walking through Ponyville, having had a nice chat with some friends. “I should see Meadow again, it’s been a while.” she thought to herself when suddenly, she heard some rustling from a nearby bush. Moonlight turned around to see Stardust in front of her.
“Hey Moonlight, can my friends come over?” Stardust asked.
“Friends? Who might they be?” Moonlight asked.
“I would like you to meet Dust Everwind and Frost Bite” Stardust said as the Changeling and Kirin came out of the bushes
“Why did we hide in the bushes and not just stand next to her?” Dust questioned, shaking some leaves off herself.
“You know, I have no clue,” Frost responded as they looked up to see Moonlight.
“They can, on one condition,” Moonlight said, leaning to speak in Stardust’s ear.
“Which is?” Stardust asked softly.
“Don’t do anything with dream magic.” Moonlight whispered.
She pulled her head back and gave the group a nod. “Now go have fun.” Moonlight smiled as she saw the three kids joyfully run away. Moonlight turned around and continued walking, resuming her reminiscing thoughts.
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…
CHAPTER 7 - Nightmares Manifest
In the dream realm….
Moonlight was calmly walking through a moonlit forest and came upon a pond, though when she looked into it, it didn’t show her reflection. It instead showed a rather dark looking version of her, a corrupted image.
“Night Sky!” Moonlight cried in shock, backing away as the figure emerged from the pond
“Hello, Sister.” Night Sky spoke, her voice strangled but deep with power. “It’s been, what? 4-5 years since you locked me away?”
“H-How did you-” Moonlight was about to finish before being cut off
“Escape? Simple. You used dream magic again, allowing me to manifest. Although, I must say it was not the most pleasant experience.” Night Sky calmly walked closer towards the shaken pegasus. “And this time I am more than just your imagination. I’ll see you when you wake.” Night sky then vanished into thin air.
Moonlight was left to ponder what Night sky had meant but knew that it wouldn’t be the last she saw the demented shadow.
That morning….
Moonlight woke up with a stretch, and as she did, her shadow shifted on the wall. Moonlight then heard a voice from what sounded like behind her and turned her around.
“Hello, Moonlight,” Night Sky spoke from Moonlight’s shadow.
“So that’s what you meant.” Moonlight said, annoyed. “So what’s your deal? Come to torment me?” Moonlight questioned.
“Of course not, my dear sister, I gave up on that ages ago. I want you to help me become real”
“Stop calling me sister. And what do you mean real?” Moonlight asked, confused.
“Like a physical body,” Night Sky said as the shadow smirked.
“No way, absolutely not, I will get my parents-” Moonlight was cut off again.
“Our parents.”
“No!” Moonlight quickly retorted before continuing her earlier statement. “I will get them to seal you away like before.”
“Like that will work. As long as you help that filly of yours – Stardust was it? – learn dream magic, I will always break free. So just help me.”
“You never ask for help unless-” Moonlight was then interrupted.
“Unless I need a favor, I know,” Night sky responded sarcastically. “But this time I want you to actually help me. You know how bad it is in a shadow prison or locked in someone’s head,” the shadow complained. “It’s boring, and I grew envious of you after seeing all the beautiful places of this land, so I ask just once, will you help me?” Night Sky asked.
“So let me get this right, you're asking for help” Moonlight began.
“That’s correct” Night sky responded.
“With no strings attached?” Moonlight asked but only saw the shadow silent whistle “With no strings attached correct?” Moonlight asked again this time with a serious tone.
“Ugh, fine,” Night sky groaned, “you never make anything fun.”
“Ok, I’ll help you but just this once! If you try to betray me, I’ll seal you away again.”
“What did I just say 5 seconds ago?” the shadow said snarkily.
Moonlight went to shake her shadow’s hoof before phasing right through. “Right, shadow, not actually here, sorry.”
“Ha-ha, so funny.” Night Sky rolled her eyes before releasing her hold on Moonlight’s shadow, the shadow reconnecting to Moonlight’s movements and returning to normal.
Stardust then came into the room.
“Who were you talking to?” Stardust asked.
“Nopony!” Moonlight responded quickly, eyes darting around nervously.
“Right..okay,” Stardust said suspiciously and shut the door.
