The Mistress of Dreams

Twilight traveled throughout the sleeping town of Ponyville under the twinkling stars.  She knew exactly which home of her friends she wanted to go next. Twilight drifted to a road that lead to the outskirts of town.  She lit her horn so she could have a better view of where she was going.  She levitated herself through the dark passageway until she spotted her destination - a farmhouse.  Twilight stopped at the front door and walked through.  The inside was pitch black and she lit her horn again so she can see.  The lavender unicorn walked into living room, then went upstairs.

The hallway had four closed doors, two on each side of the hall.  She used her magic to determine which door belonged to Applejack, just as a door on her right swung open.  For a moment, the unicorn was petrified, until she saw the occupant - a small yellow filly with a large, red bow on her red mane. She recognize her as Applebloom, Applejack’s little sister, and she was somewhat relieved.  She looked drowsy, her eyes half closed and she gave out a small yawn - she started to walk to Twilight’s direction.  She was ready to use her magic to teleport herself, but Applebloom walked past her.  The yellow filly opened a door located next to the stairs, and closed it - that must be the bathroom.  Twilight let out a relieved sigh, knowing nopony could see her.

The unicorn ignited her horn to summon the x-ray vision spell.  The door top the top-left corner was Applejack’s - she walked up to the door and went through.  Applejack’s room was little messier compared to Twilight’s, but she manage to keep it clean once in a while. She also took note that she let her blonde mane down when she sleeps, instead of her usual ponytail.  On the right side of her bed was her stetson hat, which was hung neatly on the wall.  On her left was a nightstand with two group photos: one was the Apple Family reunion and the other was group photo that was taken when the Flim Flam Brothers came to town.  Twilight giggle when she noticed that she and Spike where part of the family portrait.

She walked over to Applejack, then stopped when she saw the cowpony making little restless turns in her bed.  Twilight was worried for a moment, but then she heard her utter something.

“Imma get ya Dirty Dan... you an yer partner, Pinhead Larry...”

Twilight couldn’t help but laugh; she must be dreaming about western outlaws.  Especially ones with silly names like those.  She waited until Applejack stopped turning, and then extended her hoof to the orange cowpony’s head.  As on cue, a swirling vortex of multi-colored light appeared.  Twilight assumed position and dived into the western adventure taking place in Applejack’s mind.

***

Twilight was suddenly walking in the desert.  The sky was yellow with the sun high above the plains.  Tan and brown moutains and rocky hills stretch throughout the landscape.  It was extremely desolate, with temperatures so unbearably hot, no living creature should endure such scorching heat.  There was nothing there that could indicate any sign of civilization.  She continued walking, but she had no idea of where she was going.  Twilight noticed something approaching her from her left with rapid speed.  She prepared for horn any danger, then let her guard down when it was just a small tumbleweed.

The tumbleweed ceased its tumble and stood beside Twilight.  She payed it no mind and continue to search the desert for any signs of life.  After several minutes of walking with no luck, she felt a strange presence behind her; she turned around to only see the tumbleweed from earlier.  Surprised, she stared at it, and sensed the plant staring back at her with its invisible eyes.  The plant rolled a circle around her - and stopped on her right side.  Moments later it bounced like a rabbit into the direction it stopped.  Sensing the plant wanted Twilight to follow it, she reluctantly agreed.  The walk was long and tiring, with sweating from the fiery climate.  The only visual experience she fairly enjoyed was looking at the cacti as they were in a variety of weird shapes and sizes.  After what felt like an eternity, Twilight could finally see a small town in the distance.  She formed a wide smile while she ran to the desert community.

When she entered the town, the first thing she looked for was a saloon.  After reading a considerable amount of her grandfather’s western novels, she knew every small town had a saloon.  She couldn’t find it, so she approached a tan stallion with a dark stetson hat over his head.  He was sleeping on a wooden building’s porch.

“Excuse me,” Twilight said sweetly.  The stallion looked up and noticed the lavender unicorn.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I’m really thirsty.  Do you happen to know where I could get something to drink?”

The stallion said nothing, but point his hoof above his head.  The sign/banner on the wooden building contain the words “SALOON.”

“Oh, uh, thank you sir.”

“Mah pleasure ma’am,” the tan stallion said with deep voice.  He smiled and tipped his hat.  Twilight giggled and her cheeks turned red.  She walked through the doors, and was surrounded by ponies wearing hats, vests, and stetson boots.  Some were on tables laughing amongst themselves, others were enjoying a game of poker, and most were sitting on stools drinking cider.  In the corner of the salon, a grey stallion with a black mane and mustache wearing a black and white suit played ragtime music on the piano.  It was like she was in a real wild west story.

She approached a bar counter and sat on a stool.  A yellow stallion with a brown beard came to his latest patron.  He was wearing a white shirt with a dark blue apron and was cleaning a glass with a cloth.

“Well howdy there, stranger! I reckon ya’ll must be new here.  We don’ normally have unicorns coming ‘round this part of town.  Name’s Barkeep.  What can I get ya?”

Twilight smiled at the good-natured stallion.

“Give me a glass of your best cider, sir,” Twilight answered, attempting to speak like Applejack.  Twilight and Barkeep laughed together, then he went to give her a cider-filled glass.

“There ya go, one glass of cider, on the house!”

Twilight was hypnotized by the cider.  She has been craving for something to drink ever since she got here.  Her tastebuds could already feel the flavor of the sweet, ferminted, apple juice.  She brought the glass closer to her mouth to ingest --

Two dark figures bust through the doors.  Everypony in the saloon stopped their activities and looked at them.  The two stallions walked slowly inside the saloon, each of them offering their observers an intimidating look.  Some ponies began cowering under the tables, others simply looked at them but dared not move a muscle.  It was so silent, one could hear a pin drop.  The cowponies got out the way when the two stallions made there way to the counter.  They approached Barkeep, who shivered where he stood.

“H-howdy, p-partners.  W-wha can I do fer you f-fine st-stallions?”

“...”

“Give me a glass of cider,” growled the first stallion.  He had a dark-orange coat and dark-brown mane, his attire consisting of a long, black jacket with a gray vest.  He had an eyepatch on his left eye and a deep scar on his right cheek.  His hat was the same color as his jacket.  He was considerably large for his size.

“S-sure! R-right away! Comin’ right up!”  Barkeep hastily prepared the orange stallion’s glass.  Once it was full, he slid the glass to the stallion without a single word.  The orange stallion chuckled deeply as he consumed the contents of the glass.  Standing next to him was a smaller stallion with a pale-green coat with a silver mane.

His attire was a brown vest and a hat which was the same color.  While the scene was in progress, Twilight sat fearfully on her stool, unable to move.  The pale-green stallion finally noticed the bookworm, and made his way over to the unoccupied stool.

“Howdy.  What’s your name, young lady,” the green stallion asked with a devilish smile.

“Now you leave her alone!  She ain’t got nothin’ ta do you ya!” Barkeep called out.

The orange stallion growled at him and Barkeep silenced himself.  The green stallion stared at him for a while and turned his attention back to Twilight.  She was hesitant to reveal her name.

“Tw-Twilight.  Twilight Sparkle.”

“Twilight Sparkle, eh?  Hm.  Never seen a unicorn ‘round these here parts b’fore.  ‘Specially not as one as pretty as yourself,” the green stallion cooly said as he ran his hoof through her mane.  She was feeling really uncomfortable having a dirty stallion touch her.  She wanted to use her magic, but she feared she would start a saloon brawl, like in the wild west stories.

“Yo’ll have ta e’scuse mah big o’l friend over there.  He ain’t tha one fer talken.” He stole another pony’s glass and began to drink.  After a while, a revelation came to him.  “Oh, my, where are my manners? I have not properly introduced mah self.”  The green stallion got up, took off his hat, and bowed like a proper gentlecolt.  “Mah name... is Dirty Dan.”

“Wait... you’re Dirty Dan?” Twilight asked, much to her surprise.  She looked at Dan, then glanced at the large, orange stallion; she then put the two together.  “And I suppose he must be--”

“Pinhead Larry.  I reckon ya heard of us,” Dan commented.  Twilight was extremely uncomfotable now.  These were the outlaws Applejack was talking about in her sleep.  Dirty Dan brought his face closer to her’s.  Barkeep wanted to stop him, but Pinhead Larry spread his hoof across.

“So, Twilight Sparkle, hows about you and I ge--”

Suddenly, Dirty Dan found himself caught in a lasso.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, YA TWO-BIT VARMINT!”

When Twilight heard that familiar voice, she knew who was coming to her rescue.

Standing proudly in the entrance of the saloon, was Applejack.  The first thing she noticed about her farmpony friend was the black domino mask on her face.  Applejack’s attire was entirely unusual.  She was wearing a white stetson hat, her boots matching the same color.  She also had a red scarf across her neck, complete with a blue shirt.  The rope she caught Dirty Dan with was on her teeth.  With him bound to the lasso, Twilight ran to her savior.

“Aw schucks!  It’s the Lone Stranger!” Dirty Dan cursed.

“That’s right, Dirty Dan!  Your days are numbered!  You and yer partner, Pinhead Larry are goin’ off ta jail for the crimes ya two commited to these good o’l ponyfolk!”

The saloon patrons cheered when Applejack (a.k.a. the Lone Stranger) finished her proclaimation of justice.  Dirty Dan, however, had other plans.

“Aw yeah?  Well, ya have ta catch us first!  Pinhead!”

On cue, Pinhead Larry pulled out a pocket knife and cut the lasso holding his partner-in-crime.  Dan broke free and stood next to his giant sidekick.

“Let’s see if you and yer unicorn friend have a hunkerin’ for freshly baked pie!”

Pinhead Larry opened his long, black jacket to reveal baked pies used for ammunition.  He grabbed as many as he could and threw them at Twilight and the Lone Stranger with rapid speed.  Twilight used her magic to deflect the incoming pies while the Lone Stranger kick them out her way with her hindlegs.  Once the pies were gone, Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry were nowhere to be seen.

“Consarnit!  They don escaped!  Again!”

“Don’t you worry, Lone Stranger, yo’ll get ‘em next time ‘round,” Barkeep reassured her.  Lone Stranger looked around the saloon to see if the patrons were okay.  So far, none of them were hit with pies, thanks to them ducking under tables when the fight ensued.  She came to a late realization when she saw Twilight next to her.

“Twilight?  What are you doin’ here?”

“Wait a sec, you two know each other?” Barkeep asked.

“Well, yeah.  She’s been mah best friend for as long I can remember, but I wasn’t expectin’ her to be here.”

Twilight thought about an excuse she could use.  She can’t reveal to Applejack that she’s in a dream.  That would really upset her.  She had to make sure not give herself away.

“Well, Lone Stranger, the reason why I am here is that Princess Celestia has asked me to come assist you on your ongoing pursuit and apprehension of the outlaws known as Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry.  She believes that I will be vital in helping you capture the bandits.”

“Wow! You know the princess too?” Barkeep asked with amazement in his voice.

“Of course.  I am her apprentice,” Twilight answered.

Applejack/Lone Stranger comfirmed it and the patrons cheered louder than before.  With a unicorn who had close ties with the Princess of the Sun, and is best friends with their resident avenger, Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry wouldn’t stand a chance against them.  Lone Stranger smiled at Twilight and turned to the patrons with one last speech.

“Don’t ya worry ‘bout anythin’ folks!  Me an Twilight Sparkle here are gonna get those two good for nothing varmints ifen it’s the last we do!  Ya can sleep peacefully tonight as the Lone Stranger rides throughout west fer truth and justice!”

The townsponies cheered for their heroine and Twilight and Applejack made their way out of the saloon and into the desert.

***

The Lone Stranger and Twilight made it to her secret hideout and rested for the night.  Lone Stranger removed her white stetson and domino mask, revealing the farmpony we all know and love.  She walked up to Twilight and gave her a serious look, her emerald irises staring her down.

“Alright, out with it, sugarcube.  Tell me the truth.  How exactly did you get here?  And how did the Princess know about them bandits?”

This was going to be a tough one to sell.  She didn’t know what could happen if she revealed that this was all a dream.  Will she have a panic attack?  Would the dreamworld crumble around them?  She could not risk it, she had to stick to the story she made up.

“Applejack, Princess Celestia wanted me to come here.  She knew the only way you could stop the bandits was that I came to help you.  She saw that you couldn’t do it by yourself and maybe with a friend, you might have a chance at apprehending them.”  Twilight hoped her explaination was enough to convince Applejack that she wasn’t invading her dream.  The farmpony/vigilante thought about it for a moment.  She was having a difficult time catching Dirty Dan; he always leave the scene of the crime without a trace everytime she came too close.  Pinhead Larry was even worse; he was Dan’s second-in-command.  Not to mention he was twice the size as her elder brother Big Macintosh.  He also had bones made of steel.  One time, Applejack kicked him in his chest with all of her might and strength - he would not budge.  She had to consider the circumstances.

“Well, alright then.  Ya can help.”

Twilight gave Applejack a big hug.  She would do anything to help her friends.  Even if it involved imaginary villains.  Applejack hugged her back and the two smiled at each other.  Now it was time to get into business.

“Ya do know we don’t have a plan, Twilight.  How do you ‘spose we get to them bandits?”

“Well, to be honest, I don’t have a plan either.  I was hoping the bandits would come to town in the morning and maybe we could have a little showdown, like in the old wild west stories.”

“How’d ‘spose we do that?” Asked Applejack.

How would they do that indeed.  Twilight thought for a moment until a lightbulb flashed above head.

“Maybe when they let their guard down, I can enchant your lasso with a spell that will make it impenatrable.  That way they’ll have a hard time escaping.”

“That’s great an all, but what about Pinhead Larry?  Did you even seen the way he threw them pies?  Maybe Pinkie Pie can take some lessons from him,” Applejack joked.

Twilight thought some more.  Pinhead has an incredible talent of throwing objects at non-stop speed. He seemed to have an unlimited supply of pies  She could use a spell to deflect them, but again, they would escape without trace like last time.  She didn’t what she could do with the giant stallion.

“I’m not sure, but we have to find a way to slow him down,” Twilight answered.  Applejack was confused; slow him down?  How on earth will they do that?

“We already know he’s really fast.  I can use a spell that will slow down his rate for at least three minutes.  That way, you and I can actually defeat the bandits and save the town.”

Applejack was impressed with the plan, but three minutes?  That’s not nearly enough time to catch the bandits.  Applejack had to consider this a little more.  Unfortunately, they had no other options, so Applejack sighed in agreement.

“Alright, sugarcube.  We’ll do it your way,” said Applejack.  She smiled warmly at Twilight.  She always knew her unicorn friend was very brave; even brave enough to help take down the most ruthless outlaws in Equestria.  The farmpony immediately thought of something important.

“One thing, Twilight, if you want ta be a wild west hero, ya gotta dress like one!”

Applejack took out a saddlebag and gave it to Twilight.  She opened it with her magic, and pulled out a brown pancho, a red scarf, and a small black stetson hat.  She gave Applejack a approving smile and they both laughed into the night, as best friends would.

***

The sun rose over the horizon.  Crows sang their harsh morning songs.  Everypony hid inside their houses.  The time has come for the final showdown between The Lone Stranger and the bandits.  The Lone Stranger stood at the center of town all morning, waiting for their arrival.  She didn’t know how this was going to end, all she knew was that if this can’t stop them, nothing will.  Two stallions approached the silent town.  They stopped when they saw the masked vigilante was only twenty feet away from them.  Dirty Dan laughed at her mockingly.  Did she really think she could defeat them?

“Well, well, well... I didn’t think ya had the guts come to out,” Dirty Dan taunted.  Pinhead Larry just growled at her like a rabid dog.  Stranger was nervous, but she stood her ground.

“Dirty Dan, this is your final warning!  You and yer pard’ner best better be surrendin’ now and turn yerselves in!  If ya don’t, ya two are gonna have ta face the consequences!”

“Oh really?  So where’s yer little unicorn friend?  Was the wild west too much fer her?  Did she get scared and ran back cryin’ to the princess?”

“Nope, she’s right here!” a voice called out from behind.

Dan and Larry looked around and saw the lavender unicorn.  Twilight was wearing the clothes Lone Stranger gave to her the other night.  The small black stetson hat, the brown pancho, and the red scarf.  She put on her best poker face and attempted her best wild west accent.

“And fer yer infermation, I don’t cry to the princess.  I write her a letter of complaint,” Twilight explained.  Lone Stranger giggled under her breath.  Silence filled the intense air.  Stranger was facing Dan, while Larry targeted Twilight.  Nopony dared make the first move.  A bead of sweat trickled down Stranger’s head.  Dan was ready to headbuck Stranger.  Larry stretched his throwing hooves.  Twilight ignited her horn.  Time seemed to have paused for a moment.  Dan charged at his target with increasing speed.  Stranger twirled her lasso and tossed it at her target; Dan jumped to the other side and continued to charge.  Stranger turned herself around at the right moment and kicked Dan square in the face with her hindlegs.  He was sent flying to the ground but landed on legs.  Larry began throwing pies at his target with remarkable speed.  Twilight dodged every one that was thrown at her.  Twilight’s horn glowed and the pies flying to her direction turned around and were flying at Larry.  He deflected the incoming pies by throwing other pies at it.

Dan and Stranger headbucked each other several times.  She lift her left hoof and punched Dan directly in the chest breaking one of his ribs.  Dan stumbled, feeling the searing pain in his abdomen and Stranger kick him in the face once more and he dropped to the ground.

Twilight couldn’t dodge the pies forever, so the time has come to set her plan into action.  She hid behind a water barrel and peeked behind it.  Larry was still throwing pies, not even noticing the unicorn disappeared.  Twilight aimed her horn at him, and a purple aura surrounded it.  A beam of purple light striked Larry and he fell to the ground.  Twilight jumped into his view and approached him.  Larry got back and resumed his pie throwing... only to find out his speed was decreasing.  The pies dropped to the ground everytime he threw them, much to his chargin.

“Now, Stranger!”

Stranger landed on top of his head.  He was struggling to get her off his back, while she acted as though she was in a rodeo.  Stranger grabbed her lasso and tied it to his neck; Larry choked and tried to grabbed the farmpony, but to no avail.

“Do it, Twilight!”

Twilight aimed her horn at the lasso and a blue aura surrounded it.  Stranger jumped to the ground and pulled the lasso, sending Larry down to the ground.  She tied the lasso around his body, constricting him.  Despite his size and strength, he could not move; not even his pocket *knife could cut it.  Stranger dragged an unconscious Dan next to him and tied him up as well.*

“Now that’s what I call gettin’ it done!” Stranger exclaimed.  It was finally over.  Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry’s reign of terror finally ended.  The townsponies congratulated the two heroines as the local sheriff arrested the bandits, locking them away for a long time.  Lone Stranger and Twilight Sparkle gave each other big hugs amd cheered along with the grateful townsponies.  A mariachi band came out of nowhere and sang a ballad detailing the heroic deeds the Lone Stranger and Twilight Sparkle.

When the celebrations ended, Applejack and Twilight walked into desert together, smiling.  They stopped to look at each other, knowing this is where they part ways.

“Twilight, I just wanted to thank you fer helping me back there.  Celestia knows I couldn’t have done it with ya.”

“No problem Applejack, it’s what friends are for.”

They smiled and looked at the setting sun.  The desert sky was red with the sun looming over the horizon.

“So, where will go now?” Twilight asked.

“Where anypony needs me,” Applejack answered.

Applejack began to run toward the sunset.  Twilight nodded her head as Applejack became smaller as she increased speed.

“Happy trails, partner.”

YEEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWW!

Applejack’s yell could be heard throughout Equestria.  And with that, Twilight Sparkle teleported herself back into the real world.